Niagara

Born on  February 17, 1942 in Gevelsberg,  during the late '50s and'60s, Klaus Weiss was one of the few experienced jazz drummers admired by his American counterparts .

Sepp Werkmeister , Klaus Weiss's long-time companion, remembers Klaus "being the only European drummer with American Feeling". making him much sought after for session work by his American  colleagues.  In addition, his experience, competence and his inimitable playing brought him, not only to lead a number of big band projects, but also to perform with the likes of Cecil Bridgewater, Johnny Griffin and Herbie Mann on stage.

But Weiss was not a purist. Although he did have a defined style, he also explored many other genres, including new world and rock.

Or, as Sepp Werkmeister puts it: "For Klaus, a drummer always has a key position musically.  Perhaps more than any other musician, he understood a percussionist's musical responsibility, whether drumming in a big band or in a trio. Although a jazz musician at heart, Klaus also worked very extensively with world music.  Rock was not really his thing, but when Miles Davis recorded this kind of music himself, he was encouraged by Miles to foray his way into Rock as well."

Back in the 60s,  Weiss  played with the German jazz saxophonist Klaus Doldinger in his quintet, and then years later, again with Doldinger, with a  relatively unknown drummer who was on the first NIAGARA project. That drummer was Udo Lindenberg.

The first NIAGARA album - simply called "Niagara" - was released in 1971 and was noticed  even by those unfamiliar with Niagrara's music due to the controversal "sweaty  breasts" album cover.

The album was unusual not only because of its cover.  It was a purely percussive album on which numerous high-profile drummers from around the world came together; Americans Cotch Blackmon and George Green, Englishman Keith Forsey, Juan Romero from Venezuela and the German musicians Udo Lindenberg and Daniel Fichelscher (who also played in Gila, Amon Düül II and Popol Vuh).

"Niagara" remains a unique, driving mix of jazz, rock and skilful adaptations of African elements, captured in two long epic tracks.