Peter Erskine and Vienna’s JAM Music Lab All-Stars celebrate the music of two iconic Viennese composers who, after moving to Hollywood in 1929 & 1934, transformed the dynamics of film as they set the standards for movie scoring. Through their work on King Kong, Gone With the Wind, The Adventures of Robin Hood, the Sea Hawk, and many dozens more, their role in shaping popular culture since is legion. First exposed to the music in the late ’70s as he was touring with Weather Report, Erskine heard Joe Zawinul playing a beautiful melody and learned it was by Korngold, a fellow Viennese composer. He was moved to search out transcripts and recordings ever since. With his artist-in-residency at Vienna’s cutting-edge JAM Music Lab University, his desire to reimagine this music in an improvised jazz setting finally became a reality. “… Erskine and the Jam Music Lab All-Stars demonstrate virtuosity, versatility and a keen attention to detail… creating a fitting tribute to the most influential figures in 20th-century music.” The New York City Jazz Record

If you picture a table of fellows enjoying a dinner in Vienna, it’s easy to imagine plates of schnitzel and glasses of beer. It was during one of these get-togethers that I changed whatever subject was at hand by interjecting, “Hey, I have an idea …” Jeff Levenson, the man who brings more ideas to life than anyone else I know, sat up in his chair and this encouraged me to continue: “Why don’t we record an album of the music of Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Max Steiner, who were both from here, celebrating their gorgeous melodies, many of which are ripe for jazz treatment.” wWhile not a new concept, the representation of Steiner or Korngold in the jazz world is noticeably scant.

Going back quite a few years … Joe Zawinul was alone on the vast Tokyo stage, surrounded by his synthesizer keyboards and playing one of the loveliest melodies I’d ever heard. (I had ventured into the concert hall after Weather Report’s soundcheck, and this random moment brought me face-to-face with musical destiny.) “Joe,” I asked when he had finished,”is this a new piece you’re working on? It’s beautiful!” “Thank you, no, this was written by my home boy Erich von Korngold … a Viennese cat.”

This passion project has become my favorite album in many years. It represents a culmination of everything I know and everything I love. If music can swing AND make the listener smile AND bring a tear to the eye while touching the heart, “Vienna to Hollywood” represents my best take.

“All right, Mr. DeMIlle. I’m ready for my close-up.”