Groove, Grooved, Groovin'

Claus Raible Quintet 

GROOVE, GROOVED, GROOVIN‘ 

recorded “live“ at the Unterfahrt 

ENJA 9857 

Members:

Steve Fishwick - trumpet 

Brad Leali - alto saxophone 

Claus Raible - piano 

Miloš Čolović - bass 

Xaver Hellmeier - drums 

Track list: 

1. PUDDIN‘ TIME (Brad Leali) 13:48 

2. ACCELERANDO IN BLUE (Claus Raible) 8:18 

3. VILLA ORIENTAL (Claus Raible) 12:06 

4. FUNK ON PARADE (Claus Raible) 4:11 

5. THE FRONTLINE (Claus Raible) 9:46 

6. REMINISCENCE (Claus Raible) 10:10 

7. NOT YET (Claus Raible) 7:44 

Total: 66:04 

Recorded on December 18th. 2025, live at Unterfahrt, Munich, Germany 

Date of release: December 11th. 2026 

The title says it all: “Groove, Grooved, Groovin’” is a promise. Claus Raible  and his fellow musicians deliver on that promise with electrifying energy, razor sharp precision, and unbridled expressive power. 

A Munich-based pianist with deep roots in the African American jazz tradition,  Raible speaks the language of bebop fluently—authentically, fearlessly, and  with unmistakable authority. His playing channels the spirit of the masters while  sounding entirely of the moment, creating music that feels urgent, alive, and  impossible to ignore. 

His compositions are built to move: sharp-edged harmonies, strong melodic  identities, and a deep sense of groove. From the Monk-inflected angles of “Not  Yet” to the hard-swinging drive of “Funk On Parade,” from the hypnotic pull of  “Villa Oriental” to the dark, bittersweet color of “Reminiscence,” this is writing  with character and impact. The program features Raible’s original music throughout, with one standout exception: “Puddin’ Time” by Brad Leali—a gospel-rooted tribute with deep soul. 

Raible is joined by an all-star international lineup: alto saxophonist Brad Leali  (USA), a powerhouse improviser with a deeply soulful voice; trumpeter Steve  Fishwick (UK), known for his fire, lyricism and virtuosic command; bassist  Miloš Čolović (Serbia), whose driving, percussive sound is matched by elegance  and precision; and drummer Xaver Hellmeier (Germany), a dynamic force  whose crisp, propulsive playing fuels the band at every turn. 

Together, they operate as a single, breathing organism—tight, interactive, and  bursting with energy. This is modern jazz at full throttle: deeply rooted, sharply  defined, and built to connect—on stage and beyond. 

As Gustav Mahler famously put it: “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but  the preservation of fire.” Claus Raible Quintet keeps that fire burning—bright,  bold, and unmistakably alive. 

Marcus A. Woelfle 

(Bayerischer Rundfunk / Bavarian Broadcasting) 

Upcoming dates: 

2026 

Dec 11, Jazzkeller Frankfurt 

Dec 12, Jazzkeller Frankfurt 

Dec 13, Kisslegg (private concert) 

Dec 14, Ella & Louis, Mannheim 

Dec 16, Le Pirate, Rosenheim 

Dec 18, Unterfahrt, Munich 

Dec 19, Jazzclub, Regensburg 

Dec 20, Stephanskirchen 

2027 

Nov 1, Jazzland, Vienna 

Nov 2, Jazzland, Vienna 

Nov 3, Jazzland, Vienna 

Nov 4, Jazz Club, Jenbach 

Nov 5, Birdland, Neuburg 

2028 

Dec 15, Jazz Zirkel, Weiden