Andreas Willers (gtr & devices)
regular solo concerts since 1981, albums on FMP (1981), JazzHausMusik (1995), Jazzwerkstatt and Leo Records (2009), new acoustic album ‘haerae’ on Evil Rabbit Records (2020), which was followed by the multitracked studio release ‘Search & Rescue’ again on JazzHausMusik (2022).
“The lockdown – of course. In spring 2020 Andreas Willers jumps at the chance to tackle a long planned solo recording of all-acoustic guitar improvisations. Drawing from his vast background and experience these takes reflect his approach of current non-idiomatic improv as well as a nod to the Giuffre/Bley method of thoughtfully deconstructed narrative structures.”
Bertl Grisser in freiStil #106: ‘Guitarist Andreas Willers is delighting us with two releases. First of all, there is Search & Rescue: The album title refers to the elaborate creative process in the studio with which Willers created the twelve multi-track tracks – using all the instruments and studio equipment with one exception (Boris Bell playing drums on mayD). The starting point was a kind of musical diary with a morning idea, e.g. rhythmic or melodic, which was then further developed or applied to existing compositions. As much as possible, especially with all improvised solos, the assembly of the final results was done with first takes. Willers pays great attention to small parts, as well as secondary voices or additional sounds. It has become a creative sweep and, based on the musician’s enormously broad background (jazz, rock, blues, new music, free improvisation), it is also an incredibly multicolored one. In addition, the Berliner once again shows his great guitaristic qualities in many areas, from incredibly fluent lines to demanding patterns to powerful sound painting. However, due to Willers’ overall musical class and creativity, the record is far more than just a matter for guitar lovers. Nothing less than the combination of innovation, refinement and expressiveness succeeds here. Energy, sensitivity, diversity, inventiveness … a great thing!
Then there’s Haerae: This CD features eight solo improvisations on acoustic guitar. And here, too, Willers captivates musically, with enormous craftsmanship and multifacetedness. Basically, each number brings something different. Again and again the guitarist comes up with new ideas, sounds, exciting developments and surprising turns. With playfulness, temperament and deliberation at the same time, Willers pours out improvisational and guitaristic riches like a cornucopia. Not often has one heard such diversity in such a concentration of acoustic guitars – and all guided by high musicality, a strong sense of tonal tension and creativity. An acoustic guitar firework without showmanship and ostentation, and with a portion of humor to boot. Also great class!’
‚With pointed fingers and unorthodox obstinacy, this fantastic master elicits magical spring fever from an instrument, which has been stereotyped a million times.’ – Bad Alchemy
‚Willers has a baffling technique using many extended techniques. This does not make however his improvisations of a highly abstract calibre only, nor is it just a showcase of his technique. His improvisations remain very accessible and also poetic in a curious way.’ – Dolf Mulder, Vital Weekly
‚It is thoroughly enjoyable music, because as a listener you are sensing it‘s crafty prowess. A crafty prowess that isn’t based on uninspired routine but is truely inspired.’ – Peter Bruyn, frnkfrt
‚Each piece does have a direction and a certain atmosphere and sounds like a set of thoughts that include associations, inferences and jumps. The musician in Willers blooms again in beautifully constructed gems that do not violate silence.’ – Geert Ryssen, jazz & mo’ & fullcirclemisicblog
‚There seems to be several conversations going on here between the more abrupt, frenzied sections and the more spacey, restrained parts. An excellent solo guitar offering which takes some work but is well worth the journey.‘ – Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
‚Andreas Willers is an awesome musician, the role-model avantgarde-avantgardist.’ – Lothar Trampert, Gitarre & Bass 8/21
https://andreaswillers.bandcamp.com/album/haerae
-> see and/or download complete transcriptions of all tracks from the album:
1. so.low (PDF)
2. both single (PDF)
3. langh’s arm 3-5 (PDF)
4. mnemo (PDF)
5. langh’s arm 6-8 (PDF)
6. falten (PDF)
7. s gieng (PDF)
8. langh’s arm 2 (PDF)
„It‘s all a long way from Barney Kessel or Martin Taylor, to be sure, but unless you have a rooted object to electric guitar, there‘s everything to admire here: formidable technique and control, a thoughtful approach to music as process and as artefact, and some highly musical and accessible playing. A record that will get you thinking.“ Brian Morton, Jazz Journal/UK
„Fabulous solo studio project featuring Andreas Willers on electric & acoustic guitars, banjo, melodica and devices. German guitarist Andreas Willers is one of those gifted players who has worked with musicians like Paul Bley, Louis Sclavis…., yet has often remained beneath the radar of recognition. Considering that Willers has a dozen discs out as a leader on ten different labels, it is unfortunate that he isn’t more well known. For this fine disc, Andreas plays mostly solo guitars with various devices and is consistently adventurous. The title track is first and has a cinematic, spooky sound without any distinctive guitar sounds. Each sound evokes an ongoing suspense-filled terrain. ….It sounds to me that Mr. Willers is a master of manipulation as he selects the sounds or textures that consistently evoke images or provoke ideas. ‘Drowning Migrant’ is the most successful experimental solo guitar(s) offering I’ve heard in recent memory.“ Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery New York