Metro Early History
The band was founded in spring 1994 by
Chuck Loeb and Mitchel Forman, who have dreamed of starting their own cooperative band project for over 20 years since they worked together for Stan Getz. During their long career they have often met again - including for a tour and live-album by saxman Bill Evans called "Petite Blonde", but they have never led a band together before "Metro". For the steady band they looked for a great bassman and drummer. So German drummer Wolfgang Haffner was invited on the recommendation of bassman Anthony Jackson who had worked with him on several occassions in Europe - and it worked out great. The band recorded their first album - called" Metro" like the band - directly after the tour at the "Hansahaus"-Studios in Bonn, Germany.. In spring 1995 Anthony Jackson left the band and was succeeded by bassman Victor Bailey (ex-Weather Report, Petite Blonde, Madonna a.o.). They recorded their second album "Tree People" in NY.
The band was founded in spring 1994 by Chuck Loeb and Mitchel Forman, who have dreamed of starting their own cooperative band project for over 20 years since they worked together for Stan Getz. During their long career they have often met again - including for a tour and live-album by saxman Bill Evans called "Petite Blonde", but they have never led a band together before "Metro". For the steady band they looked for a great bassman and drummer. So German drummer Wolfgang Haffner was invited on the recommendation of bassman Anthony Jackson who had worked with him on several occassions in Europe - and it worked out great. The band recorded their first album - called" Metro" like the band - directly after the tour at the "Hansahaus"-Studios in Bonn, Germany.. In spring 1995 Anthony Jackson left the band and was succeeded by bassman Victor Bailey (ex-Weather Report, Petite Blonde, Madonna a.o.). They recorded their second album "Tree People" in NY.
And Then
The band switched labels after "Tree People" and recorded "Metrocafe" for the English Hip Bop label. This again featured the great bassist Victor Bailey. This was followed by "Grapevine" in 2002 featuring Mel Brown on bass. The band toured anually in Europe during this period and recorded "Metrolive at the A-Trane" in Berlin in November 2000. This CD is on Mitch's Marsis Jazz label. In 2007, the band recorded their sixth CD called "Express" again on the Marsis Jazz label. This time the great NY bassist Will Lee lent his extraordinary talents to the band as a player, composer and even vocalist.
Metro has consintenly pushed the envelope for the fusion style of music. It continues to make highly innovative music while still keeping it funky.
Metro - Express (2007)
Featuring:
Chuck Loeb - Guitars
Michel Forman - Keyboard, bg Vocals
Wolfgang Haffner - Drums
Will Lee - Basses & Vocals