Bern (album)

Bern
Live album by
ReleasedApril 18, 2026 (2026-04-18)
RecordedMay 4, 2000
in Bern, Switzerland
StudioThe Mastering Lab (mastering)
Genre
Length59:32
LabelsTime Traveler
TT-003
Producers
  • Zev Feldman
  • James Batsford
Roy Hargrove chronology
Live at KNKX
(2026)
Bern
(2026)
Singles from Bern
  1. "Circus"
    Released: February 4, 2026 (2026-02-04)[1]

Bern is a live album by trumpeter Roy Hargrove, recorded at the International Jazz Festival Bern, in Bern, Switzerland, on May 4, 2000, featuring five previously-unissued tracks. It was released by Zev Feldman's Time Traveler Recordings[2] as an LP for Record Store Day (April 18, 2026),[3] with CD and digital download versions available on April 24, 2026.[4]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
All About Jazz
(Jack Kenny)
StarStarStarStar[5]
All About Jazz
(Pierre Giroux)
StarStarStarStarHalf star[6]
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[2]
Audiophile AuditionStarStarStarStarHalf star[7]
JazzwiseStarStarStarStar[8]

Jack Kenny of All About Jazz called the album "a spectacular marker of a band playing at the highest level", continuing that "This is a group entirely at ease with itself."[5] For the same publication, Pierre Giroux characterized the recording as "the kind of archival find that reminds listeners how electrifying Roy Hargrove could be live" and that "[t]his set captures the late trumpeter in a moment of confident maturity, blending respect for tradition with the restless creativity that defined his career."[6]

The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek stated, "Beautifully recorded, it showcases the quintet ... at full tilt, in command and control over music and audience. Hargrove proves again his deep respect for the tradition juxtaposed with his trademark creative restlessness."[2]

Audiophile Audition noted, "The acoustics are superb, ... [t]he sound stage is impressive with Hargrove’s touring quintet of noted artists ... mixed well, and prominently featured. The five tracks are full length are each musician gets ample time to shine."[7]

Jim Hynes of Glide Magazine named it "an exceptional performance in every way" .[9]

Jazzwise wrote, "Very much in hard swinging, energy-boosting mode, Hargrove and a top-notch band featuring veteran pianist Larry Willis remind us what a thrill straightahead music can be when played by those with adequate skills ... [Bern is a] timely reminder of an important post-millennial player whose absence from the current scene is keenly felt."[8]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Stranded"Frank Lacy16:23
2."Depth"Hargrove11:46
3."Never Let Me Go"11:48
4."Caryisms"Hargrove10:31
5."Circus"9:04
Total length:59:32
  • Recorded live at the International Jazz Festival Bern, in Bern, Switzerland, on May 4, 2000

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

  • Aida Brandes-Hargrove, Lloyd Hummel – executive producer
  • Zev Feldman, James Batsford – producer, photo research
  • Zak Shelby-Szyszko – project assistant
  • Matthew Lutthans – mastering, mixing, restoration, lacquer cutting
  • Joel Weinstein – legal acumen
  • Nate Chinen – liner notes
  • Burton Yount – art direction, design
  • Alan Nahigian – photography (cover)
  • John Rogers – photography

References

  1. ↑ "New Album Alert + Single Drop". RoyHargroveOfficial.com. Roy Hargrove Legacy LLC. February 4, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Jurek, Thom. "Bern – Roy Hargrove | Album". AllMusic. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Roy Hargrove | Bern". Record Store Day. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Roy Hargrove Bern – out now". RoyHargroveOfficial.com. Roy Hargrove Legacy LLC. 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Kenny, Jack (April 23, 2026). "Roy Hargrove: Bern". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Giroux, Pierre (April 18, 2026). "Roy Hargrove: Bern". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Krow, Jeff (April 4, 2026). "Roy Hargrove – Bern – Time Traveler Recordings #TT- 003 – 180 gm audiophile vinyl -Record Store Day Release (4/18/26) – Limited to 3000 pressings – ****1/2". Audiophile Audition. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Le Gendre, Kevin (May 2026). "Roy Hargrove: Bern". Jazzwise. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  9. ↑ Hynes, Jim (April 15, 2026). "Record Store Day 2026 – Essential Jazz & Blues Releases". Glide Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2026.