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Beat Kaestli - “Far From Home - A Tribute to European Song”

" Soulful, sensitive singing. I am impressed by Beat Kaestli’s CD and I look forward to hearing more !" 
Jon Hendricks

“Far from Home – A Tribute to European Song” is a project close to Swiss Jazz vocalist Beat Kaestli’s heart. Residing in New York City since 1993, he enjoyed a very diverse experience in this music metropolis, ranging from Jazz to R&B, Gospel to Musical Theater and Latin rhythms. After refining his education in Jazz performance at the renowned Manhattan School of Music (BA) and Aaron Copeland School of Music (MA), he started to reflect back to his European roots. The result is this tribute to European song and composers – past and present. It’s inspired by the perspective of a young European artist living in New York blending the rich musical heritage from Europe with the musical and cultural diversity of New York, where musicians and cultures from all around the world meet and tap into the creative energy of this vital place.

Firmly rooted in Jazz and the craftsmanship of European song, this tribute takes you all around the world and taps into a multitude of stylistic references. It boldly fuses French opera with the New Orleans Jazz tradition, lightly hints on the tango from Argentina and easily blends Brazil, New York, Spain and Mexico into a song about a long distance love affaire. It helps you to escape a rainy day in London to the island of Cuba, just to mournfully lead you back into the Swiss Alps and sad good-byes in Germany. Finally however, it lifts you up with the magic of a new romance and the promise of lasting love set in Paris. A fitting praise to Beat Kaestli’s roots and musical heritage, to New York City and to Jazz in it’s many forms and nationalities.

Reviews & Opinions:

"Nine gorgeously minimalist, dove-soft tracks. Kaestli achieves much the same spellbinding effect as José James on For All We Know" JazzTimes Magazine

"A  likably suave jazz singer... a persuasive new album"
Nate Chinen, New York Times

"FFH offers up jazz versions of songs by European composers, each with a twist and a change of mood. An intriguing concept from a singer with broad appeal."
All About Jazz, VOXnews

"With Invitation, Kaestli gives everybody a front row invite to his gentle, melodically enchanting musings."
All About Jazz, Dan Bilawsky

"Beat Kaestli is suave and elegant, precise and stylish."
Tom Hull, Village Voice, NYC

"His voice has all the richness of a cup of finely spiced tea, mellowing and awakening the senses at once."  
Layla Macoran, NY Culture Examiner

"With his unique voice, flowing between a dark timbre and fragile brilliance, he easily joins the ranks of the modern Jazz Crooners [Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble, Kurt Elling], but his distinct principle of sparseness sets him apart from the rest. A deeply felt Mood Album."
JazzThing, Germany

 "The songs, which include nine that Kaestli wrote or co-wrote, are striking."
Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun, Canada

"Vocalists should not only listen to Kaestli's phrasing, breathing, volume, and enunciating, but they might also recommend to their accompanists that here is a superb example of how most times less is more and that lyrics are due as much respect as melody and harmony."
JazzInside Magazine, NYC

“A voice overflowing with sensitivity and passion!”
Blindbirdmino.com, Mexico

"Beat Kaestli is special and a very different experience in vocal jazz".
Peter Kuller, Radio Adelaide - Australia

"Invitation is a acoustic masterpiece with impeccable vocals and flawless music. It's impressive!"
Birmingham Times

"A male singer who successfully offers something different. The unusual approach produces a hypnotic experience where time seems to stand still."
Rad Bennett, Soundstagenetwork

‘Invitation” is the Critics Choice
Hill Rag, Washington DC

www.beatkaestli.com