Philipp Gerschlauer

Gerschlauer | Ullmann "Twelve + 1 Murals", Between The Lines

Philipp Gerschlauer (alto saxophone) and Gebhard Ullmann (tenor saxophone) are seated on stage opposite each other and perform as if they were sitting in the middle of the audience. They play, comment, talk to the audience and play again. They look for new forms of expression and build bridges - away from the classic concert formats towards a communicative process in which the audience is involved in the artistic process and integrated into the musical context. Gerschlauer | Ullmann also is an example of a true cross-generational project.

Their music is about blending the sounds of the two saxophones, about long developments with long pauses, also microtonal and with circular breathing. Furthermore, about the exploration of various spontaneous compositional concepts, contrasts, and addition tones that arise in the high registers. To a certain extent, Gerschlauer | Ullmann form a contemplative alternative to the expressionist (improvisation) music of the transition from the 20th to the 21st century.

Philipp Gerschlauer, Alto Saxophone

Gebhard Ullmann, Tenor Saxophone

AUDIO

'Mural 5' from the CD 'Twelve + 1' Murals (2024)

'Mural 4' from the CD 'Twelve + 1 Murals' (2024)

Celestial Church Music

Organ and saxophone played simultaneously by Philipp Gerschlauer at the Kaiser-Friedrich-Gedächtniskirche Berlin. 

In 2018 Philipp Gerschlauer started to learn church organ. His quest was to compose jazz music for a microtonal organ, saxophone and drums. He soon started to improvise on these two instruments and accompanied himself on the organ while playing the saxophone. He was offered a concert series at the Kaiser-Friedrich-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin which led to this liverecording in late 2018. 

"Another musician who ventures into new territory is Philipp Gerschlauer. Now you can occasionally experience the saxophonist in the Kaiser Friedrich Memorial Church in Berlin next to his horn on the church organ. As usual for this instrument, the sacred space of church building is its resonance body (...) The improvisations and compositions are carried out with honest devotion. Gerschlauer is always on the lookout, but he is one of those who finds it reliably." 

(Wolf Kampmann, author Reclam's jazz lexicon)

Line Up:

Philipp Gerschlauer, saxophone + organ

Purchase "Celestial Church Music" here

Miꓘrojazz - neue eXpressionistische Musik CD + Vinyl

On Miꓘrojazz, their cutting edge joint project German saxophonist Philipp Gerschlauer and guitarist David Fiuczynski explore the world of music that falls between the cracks of the tempered scale. Joined by jazz drumming legend Jack DeJohnette, bassist Matthew Garrison and microtonal keyboardist Giorgi Mikadze, this daring crew creates dreamy and otherworldly soundscapes. 

"… a haunting and benchmark setting masterpiece which will in 40, 60, 100 years still be seen as revolutionary and astonishing - just as fresh as listening to Charlie Parker's recordings in 1945." 

Matthias Entreß (journalist, DeutschlandRadio Kultur, DLF, WDR, HR) 

Line Up: 

Philipp Gerschlauer, alto saxophone 

David Fiuczynski, microtonal guitar 

Jack DeJohnette, drums 

Matthew Garrison, fretless electric bass 

Giorgi Mikadze, microtonal keyboards 

A RareNoise Records release

Purchase "Mikrojazz - neue eXpressionistische Musik" CD here

Purchase "Mikrojazz - neue eXpressionistische Musik VINYL here

Go! w/Besaxung

While residing in New York City, Philipp Gerschlauer started to replace the regular piano by a microtonal keyboard in his band Besaxung. Otherworldy sounds, new harmonies and melodies were the result. This recording is on the brink of a new era in his work. In part played with regular piano and still rooted in the "old" Besaxung-vibe, this CD already features new tracks that have become popular over the years such as "Mr. P" and "Go!" 

Line Up: 

Philipp Gerschlauer, alto saxophone 

Felix Roßkopf, piano/microtonal keyboard 

Reza Askari, double bass 

Thomas Sauerborn, drums

Purchase "Go!" here

Hotzenwald w/Besaxung

After winning the german youth jazz competition in 2009, Philipp Gerschlauer recorded this CD with his band "Besaxung" at the Deutschlandfunk-studios in Cologne. Besides an adaption of Franz Schubert´s "Leiermann" from "Die Winterreise" this recording on contains originals mostly written by Gerschlauer. Harsh sounds, rough melodies and quarter tones are combined with a regular piano. Sometimes lyrical and uncanny, this CD sets the path for this bands development in the following years. 

"The four Hessians deconstruct the clichés of the postbop with subtle snottiness. Sometimes they take long, unexpected breaks, sometimes they deliberately give themselves a quarter tone of annoyance. 

The playing of alto saxophonist Philipp Gerschlauer is emblematic of the quartet's borrowed stance. He rattles, blows over and rushes ahead mercilessly, but shows a great instrumental culture with all high spirits. 

The music of the formation also moves within this framework. While in "Shadow Dance" saxophone and bass drive each other to a migraine-like climax, "Hotzenwald" creates a thrill-like atmosphere and creaky noises. "Confused in Spring" is reminiscent of a chamber music art song - an impression that is reinforced due to the respectful version of Franz Schubert's "Leiermann". 

It is so direct and so fresh that one has to come to the conclusion: In German jazz, with Gerschlauer, pianist Felix Roßkopf, bassist Oliver Lutz and drummer Thomas Sauerborn there´s a growing new powerful force." 

Josef Engels, Rondo music magazine 

Line Up: 

Philipp Gerschlauer, alto saxophone 

Felix Roßkopf, piano 

Oliver Lutz, double bass 

Thomas Sauerborn, drums 

Label: Berthold Records 

Purchase "Hotzenwald" here

Microtonal Fingering Chart For Alto Saxophone

The microtonal fingering chart for alto saxophone contains around 600 fingerings over two octaves of the instrument (from low E to high E).

With these fingerings it is possible to play 128 and more notes per octave. 

The workbook is available as a hard copy only.

You may purchase your personalized copy by sending an email to mail@gerschlauermusic.com for further information.

"Philipp Gerschlauer has done incredible research and organized the many possibilities for pitch and color alternate fingerings for the saxophone. The possibilities for expanding the saxophone's coloristic and expressive nuances are massive." 

(Dave Liebman)