Kit Downes | Petter Eldh | James Maddren | "Vermillion" | February 11, 2022 ECM

Pianist Kit Downes Continues to Push

New Concepts through a Trio Format

in his Latest Release Vermillion

Available February 11 via ECM Records

After his widely acclaimed ECM leader-debut Obsidian saw Kit Downes exploring a broad spectrum of organ timbres and the chamber-toned follow-up Dreamlife Of Debris substantially expanded the instrumental pallet, Vermillion now introduces us to Kit’s exceptional pianistic qualities in a trio context with collaborators Petter Eldh on bass and James Maddren on drums. 

The Guardian has praised Kit for his “uncanny ability to make difficult music sound natural” and Vermillion provides proof of that, capturing the trio in a carefully assorted piano trio programme that treads gentle lyricism and bold creative outbursts in equal measures and with a strong penchant for melody.

“This record is different from what I’ve done before. We pushed ourselves into an area that we haven’t played in before, which is a more chamber music-oriented sound. The complex rhythmic component is still kept intact, but it’s wrapped in a different aesthetic.” Kit traces his constant search for new musical challenges back to his early mentor, pianist John Taylor, who passed in 2016 and to whom Kit dedicated his first ECM recording: “John sought after real moments in the music, often by doing something unpredictable. He wanted to make new things happen and was obsessed with taking risks musically, which is what I think I did with Obsidian and what we’re doing now on Vermillion.”

Risk comes in subtle disguise as the trio navigates rich and varied structures. Powerful bass attack is intercepted by the softest piano touch, uneven meters veiled in rubato feel and Kit’s unique harmonic language hides its intricacies in patient timing and warm cadences. James Maddren’s percussive contribution is both assertive and adaptable, woven into the music’s fabric. 

No matter whether written and rehearsed at an earlier point or brought to the group on the day of the recording, the trio gives each idea definition and every impulse precise form. “Rather than just documenting everything we’ve done live, with Manfred Eicher’s help we picked what felt like a great collection of music – some music written a couple of years ago, other songs merely two days old. ‘Class Fails’ for example was brought on the day of the recording by Petter. Its bass line may sound like it’s free, but it’s actually in quite specific time. As we started playing the song it turned into what sounds like an organized rubato.” 

On Vermillion, construction and deconstruction exist in harmony with each other, creating organic shapes as the two extremes pull at opposite ends and yield gracefully melodious themes in the process. Kit and Petter each came up with five pieces, while the eleventh and final one is an abstract take on Jimi Hendrix’ “Castles Made Of Sand” – the trio joining in a careful unravelling of the song’s individual elements. Vermillion, recorded at the Auditorio Stelio Molo in Lugano in May and June 2021, was produced by Manfred Eicher. 

James Maddren and Kit Downes’ musical association goes back to their college days, when the two were flatmates, making music together on a daily basis. James studied with percussionist Martin France at the Royal Academy of Music in London and belongs to the most in-demand percussionists in today’s UK jazz scene – having contributed to recordings and performances by the likes of Norma Winstone, Marc Copland and Gwilym Simcock, on top of being the rhythmic backbone to the majority of Kit’s projects. 

Known as the bassist in pianist Django Bates’ Belovèd trio – the trio’s album Study of Touch was released on ECM in 2017 – Petter Eldh’s distinct lower-end contributions can be heard in a variety of contexts since joining Bates’ trio in 2010. Besides his work as an accomplished jazz player, Petter also experiments with electronics, hip-hop and other forms of popular music, which he combines with his jazz background in his Berlin-based group Koma Saxo.

Kit Downes was an organ scholar at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich before going on to study piano, organ and composition at the Purcell School and the Royal Academy of Music. He recorded and toured widely with the band Empirical while also working with – among others Django Bates and Lee Konitz. Besides Petter Eldh and James Maddren, over the years Kit has frequently collaborated with drummer Sebastian Rochford, saxophonist Tom Challenger and cellist Lucy Railton, who all appear on his last ECM outing Dreamlife Of Debris.

Kitt Downes | Vermillion

ECM Release Date: February 11, 2022

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Trish Clowes - A View with a Room (April 22, 2022 Greenleaf Music)

‘A View with a Room’ is the fourth release by saxophonist and composer Trish Clowes and her acclaimed band My Iris, an intense and thrilling quartet that represents the front rank of the contemporary UK jazz scene. Lauded for her imaginative approach to improvisation and composition, Clowes provides her bandmates Ross Stanley (piano/Hammond organ), Chris Montague (guitar) and James Maddren (drums) with a unique platform for individual expression, delivering driving grooves and lingering melodic lines, seamlessly morphing between earthy restlessness and futuristic dreamscapes.

Most of the repertoire came together during the pandemic for various livestream events, Clowes writing a new tune for each precious playing opportunity. Many of the tracks make direct reference to issues created and exacerbated by the global pandemic, commenting on personal loss and creativity as solace, the climate crisis, and the ever-growing migrant crisis. The title track suggests a surreal, and yet strangely relatable concept, forced upon much of the world during these deeply isolating times. "The Ness" is inspired by sounds and images from a Scottish coastline by filmmaker / collaborator Rose Hendry. “Amber" is for Amber Bauer, CEO of Donate4Refugees (a charity Clowes is an ambassador for), reflecting her energy and dynamism. “Ayana" is dedicated to Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, an inspiring writer, marine biologist and policy expert, who speaks clearly and positively on the issues of climate change. Creative music for and of our times.

1. A View with a Room

2. The Ness

3. Amber

4. Morning Song

5. No Idea

6. Ayana

7. Time

8. Almost

Trish Clowes - tenor & soprano saxophones

Chris Montague - guitar

Ross Stanley - piano, Rhodes & Hammond organ

James Maddren - drums

Production Credits:

Executive Producer: Dave Douglas

Producer: MY IRIS

Recorded at Livingston Studios (Studio 1) in London, England on August 31st & September 1st, 2021

Recording engineer: Darren Jones

Assistant recording engineer: Luke Farnell

Mixing and mastering engineer: Chris Kelly

Cover Photography: Rose Hendry

Studio photography: Chris Kelly

Graphic designer: Lukas Frei

All compositions by Trish Clowes (PRS)

Trish is a Vandoren UK artist, using Vandoren reeds and ligatures

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Mads Mathias - I'm All Ears (November 12, 2021 Storyville Records)

Mads Mathias’s highly anticipated second album of original jazz songs arranged for small ensemble, big band and strings, is due for release on 12th Nov 2021.

Since his breakthrough in 2012, leading Nordic jazz vocalist/saxophonist Mads Mathias has received numerous awards and toured clubs and festivals across Europe and Asia, performing at concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall in London and the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. He has also frequently fronted the Danish Radio Big Band.

On this, his sophomore album, Mads has gathered together some of the best in the business, from Grammy-nominated DR arranger Peter Jensen and the UK's leading jazz arranger Guy Barker (London Jazz Festival’s ‘Jazz Voice’) to the leader of the renowned Danish String Quartet – Rune Tonsgård, Brazilian Pandero master Bernardo Aguiar and one of the world’s best harmonica players, Mathias Heise.

Alongside these new collaborators are long-time associates ‘the Quentin Tarantino of Danish jazz’ and playmate since childhood Peter Rosendal (keys), Morten Ankarfeldt (bass) and Esben Laub & UK rising-star James Maddren on drums, plus an incredible horn section.

‘It’s been really exciting to work with these amazing musicians and be able to use different instrumentation to best deliver each song’ Mads comments. In so doing, the album provides great variety, yet with a forward-looking, original and consistent ‘sound’ throughout.

1. Forget Me Not

2. Labour of Love

3. Angel in Disguise

4. I'm All Ears

5. Marigold

6. Forbidden Word

7. Henpecked Man

8. If I Were a Dancer

9. Little Then Did I Know

Mads Mathias - Lead Vocals & Tenor Saxophone

Peter Rosendal - Piano

Morten Ankarfeldt - Bass

James Maddren - Drums

Rune Tonsgård - Violin

Charlotte Rafn - Violin

Jens Balslev - Viola

Therese Åstrand Radev - Cello

Mathias Heise - Harmonica

Bernardo Aguiar - Percussion

Anders Gustafsson - Trumpet

Mårten Lundgren - Trumpet

Michael Blicher - Tenor Saxophone

Peter Jensen - Trombone

Jan Harbeck - Baritone Saxophone

Espen Laub von Lillienskjold - Drums

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pettereldh - Projekt Drums vol. 1 (September 3, 2021 Edition Records)

Drums vol. 1” which embraces his love of heavy beats, psychedelic sounds and musical collaboration. This first volume is made of six diverse tracks from some of the most exciting drummers working on the scene today: Savannah Harris, Eric Harland, Nate Wood, James Maddren, Gard Nilssen and Richard Spaven.

The music is hard-hitting and mesmerising, it’s full of complexity and sonority but at the heart are the drums: the beat and groove alongside a kaleidoscope of sounds and effects. The arrangements include a total of sixteen instrumental collaborators comprising harpists, french horn and marimba players and a plethora of keyboards and unique synths. It’s original and highly engaging. No single listen will do it justice!

Over the years, Petter has been garnering praise for his versatility and the diversity of his work. He’s worked with the Dutch producer Jameszoo, including a remix for his latest record on the Brainfeeder label, he’s produced albums for Otis Sandsjö/Y-Otis and ex-Phronesis drummer Anton Eger and he leads the raucous collective Koma Saxo that features another innovative drummer, Christian Lillinger. Alongside this, he’s also regarded as one of Europe’s leading bassists having recorded with Django Bates (ECM), Kit Downes (ENEMY), Lucia Cadotsch Speak Low and Gard Nilssen Acoustic Unity. However, this new album marks a new chapter in his career, cementing his identity as a producer first and foremost. 

1. LORIMER feat. Savannah Harris

2. HAWK MOUNTAIN feat. Eric Harland

3. GOODS YARD feat. Richard Spaven

4. GREEN STREET feat. Nate Wood

5. GIMSØY feat. Gard Nilssen

6. EAST CROYDON feat. James Maddren

Mixed by Petter Eldh at Koma Industries, Berlin, 2020

Mastered by Martin Ruch at CONTROL ROOM BERLIN, October/November 2020

Lacquer cut by Sidney Claire Meyer at Emil Berliner Studios, Berlin, December 2020

Music composed by Petter Eldh except Green Street, by Petter Eldh and Otis Sandsjö

Produced by Petter Eldh

Executive producer Dave Stapleton

Synths used at Koma Industries:

Korg Poly6, Moog Matriarch, Moog Grandmother,

Oberheim SEM-2, Make Noise, MPC 1000.

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Josephine Davies - How Can We Wake? (Whirlwind Recordings)

Josephine Davies continues to assert her unique presence across the crowded landscape of international jazz with the latest release from the acclaimed trio project that she has been developing since 2016 under the name of Satori. This latest iteration reunites her with two of the UK’s most uncategorisable talents: both Dave Whitford on bass and James Maddren on drums combine a fearsome level of accomplishment with a fearless appetite for improvisation that makes them the perfect partners in this venture.

‘Satori’ is a Buddhist word meaning a moment of presence and inner spaciousness away from the clutter of thought, and this recording captures a particular moment of presence as the band perform a suite of pieces, poised in the space between composition and the mindful spontaneity of collective improvisation, before a rapt audience at the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town. Taking the writings of the Indian sage Patanjali as an inspiration, Davies created the pieces for How Can We Wake? as sets of melodic and rhythmic parameters for the trio to explore in the heat of the present moment.  “What happens between us in the trio is more and more based on group collaborative improvisation: the tunes are more wanting to reflect different states of being rather than specific set musical ideas.

Dave and James are such incredibly creative musicians, and that’s taught me as a composer to realise that less can be more - they’ve both got such strong individual sounds. James has so many different voices and creates a constant movement around me as I play, and Dave has an amazing deep, grounded bass sound. They are magical!”  On this remarkable recording Satori combine forces to create an inner space filled with melody, rhythmic freedom and empathetic interplay.

Each movement explores one of Patanjalis’ definitions of states of being, encompassing both positive and negative moods to reflect how “we all swing between these different states. It’s why I wanted to record live, so all the pieces could relate to each other as we moved from one to the next.’  ’Ananda’ is the state of bliss - ‘I was feeling very calm and positive which is quite unusual for me as I can be a bit hectic!” It segues into ‘Duhkha - Pervasive Dissatisfaction’ expressed through a thrillingly dynamic solo exploration for Maddren at the drumkit.

Next, ‘Nirodha - the possibility of liberation’ has a yearning melody beautifully realised by the dialogue between Whitford’s deep, woody bass and Davies’  warm-toned tenor sax. ‘Mudita’ has a joyously irreverent melody inspired by Ornette Coleman’s Golden Circle trios – “I love that rawness and freedom” - that develops into an extended blow with everyone free to take the piece in whatever direction they want. ‘Daya’ is inspired by the essence of compassion, with a sinuous thread of plaintive soprano writhing over resonant bass, and segues into the powerful, impetuous groove of ‘Klesha - affliction’ - as the trio work from turbulence towards a final statement of positivity, and a spontaneous reprise of ‘Ananda - Bliss’. 

How Can We Wake is the first line of a poem written by Davies’ mother and has a particular resonance under current conditions, unforeseen when the album was conceived and written but now demanding an extra wakefulness from us all. “Being fully awake and alive and facing ourselves and our responsibilities might be something that we are forced into, so we can’t go back to sleep”. The powerful combination of fearless free improvisation and melodic empathy from these gifted players creates a powerful and timely statement.

1. Ananda: bliss 04:47

2. Sutra 1 02:22

3. Duhkha: pervasive dissatisfaction 07:32

4. Sutra 2 01:37

5. Nirodha: the possibility of liberation 05:26

6. Mudita: joy 08:56

7. Daya: compassion 05:23

8. Sutra 3 01:44

9. Klesha: affliction 08:42

10. Ananda: bliss (reprise) 03:24

Josephine Davies - tenor and soprano saxophones

James Maddren - drums

Dave Whitford - double bass

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Ant Law - Life I Know (EDITION RECORDS November 9, 2018)

Ant Law’s astonishing long awaited 3rd album ‘Life I Know’ draws on a depth of musical and life experience into a career defining album, uniting some of the finest players in British Jazz

Life I Know is the third and much anticipated album from British guitarist and composer Ant Law. Utilising some of the finest musicians in British Jazz today, Ant Law has crafted a masterpiece, merging wide-ranging stylistic and genre influences, virtuosic musicianship and melodic accessibility into one career-defining album. Abounding in warmth and energy, Life I Know is a deeply experienced musical expression of all the influences that surround Ant: his sense of community, culture, human interaction and creative spirit. It’s these influences that inspire Ant’s ambition and motivation to create.

Ant Law musical journey hasn’t followed the traditional path. A BSc in Physics with Music at Edinburgh, a summer semester at Berklee and a further two years gigging and Ant threw himself into the London scene a decade ago, playing with contemporaries, listening and learning. Two albums of his own, and three with Tim Garland’s band, much touring and hundreds of gigs later, he’s finally ready to release his new recording.

Although there had been a period of four years since his last album, there was never a rush to release Life I Know. As Ant explains:

‘When I moved to London a decade ago, I needed to establish myself. The first two albums helped me say “I am here” and to start working more. I reached out to artists I admired and developed my compositional approach. The resulting four tours as a leader were tremendously enlightening, but I knew I had to develop my instrumental approach and my sound world.

I became much busier as a sideman, recording and touring with groups like Partikel and artists like Tim Garland, but all the while I was composing, “charging up”, for this new recording project. Drawing new experiences and music together is what this album is about. I wanted to make it count – so I began exploring the new music in live contexts with my group.

Immortalising music in a recording environment is not to be taken lightly – choosing takes, mixing, mastering – these things have taken time – after all, they are the audio manifestation of self-realisation. Now, the timing is right, you can hear it in the music!’

And as for the music, Ant describes the album, track by track…

“This album draws together many aspects of my life. In some cases this is a literal thing – for the closing track I invited Tim Garland to play a soprano solo on a framework that really suits his aesthetic. In other cases this is more metaphysical and involves my imagination.

Each piece in the collection is inspired by a different experience.

I wanted to have an exciting opening track, and I chose Movies – inspired by, well, a trip to the movies. Whilst many guitarists playing jazz steadily shed all their non-jazz influences, I haven’t, yet. This is an exciting rock piece with a rock guitar solo.

Searching is a piece inspired by natural beauty – in particular riding the train up the east coast of England/Scotland, south of Edinburgh. As the railtrack gets progressively nearer to the sea on that bit of coastline, the drama and infinity of the North Sea’s expanse becomes more apparent. The piece reflects this as it builds in scale and dynamic. It is based around an unusual 6 bar harmony – this uneven phrase correlates to the beautiful (but uneven) natural landscape.

Aquilinus begins in a similar fashion (the word means Eagle-like). It eventually settles into a jazz-style form with heads and solos. Tim Garland joins on this piece, reinforcing the soaring melody and taking a solo.

Pure Imagination – by removing nearly all the chords in this piece I wanted to leave more to the imagination of the listener. The arrangement is  vast and spacious. In fact the lyric “There is no life I know, that compares to pure imagination” is what inspired the title of the album.

Angular rhythmic frameworks (such as that forming the basis of Laurvin Glaslowe) are shared by South Indian music and contemporary jazz styles. This was the perfect piece to mesh together those influences and draw on my extended musical community. I invited Asaf Sirkis to compose and perform the konnakol introduction.

The Act Itself is the darkest piece, a long-form contemporary classical type thing. The title refers to the psychological relationship between thoughts and actions, and which of those defines us. Some of the aspects of the music are fantastic and imagined, others are more realistic and literal.

Credits emerged out of a solo guitar piece I wrote and the arrangement was done very spontaneously in the studio, including a rare example of me playing the piano. I wanted to have a euphoric and warm piece to finish on, reflecting the resolution of the album, and an antidote to some of the more dissonant and dark music in the preceding track. This piece plays as the credits roll…

With a new home at Edition Records, Ant Law is entering into a new and exciting stage of his career, one where his talents will be recognised internationally – as an extraordinarily innovative guitarist, and as Life I Know proves, a fine composer, arranger and band leader.

ANT LAW guitar

MIKE CHILLINGWORTH alto saxophone

IVO NEAME piano

TOM FARMER double bass

JAMES MADDREN drums

1. Movies 4.54

2. Searching 2.40

3. Aquilinus 7.45

4. Pure Imagination 2.50

5. Introduction to Laurvin Glaslowe 2.59

6. Laurvin Glaslowe 3.24

7. The Act Itself 12.37

8. Credits 4.16

Julian Argüelles - Tonadas (EDITION RECORDS July 20, 2018)

European Jazz at its finest blending Spanish roots, Nordic space and sound with one of the brightest and most talented British bands around. 

Tonadas (simply meaning Tunes) is the lyrical and vibrant new quartet album from saxophonist Julian Argüelles. Drawing on his Spanish roots Argüelles has produced a gem - a beautifully warm, harmonically rich and melodic album, abundant with an elegant tone and absorbing colour.

Tonadas has everything you’d want and expect from a contemporary Jazz album, yet it surprises on another level. With shifting turns of phrase and effortlessly flowing band interplay, Argüelles’ growing status as a master composer, bandleader and creator are clear. This music is profoundly joyful and masterfully produced.

With some of the UK’s most dependable, experienced and exciting musicians pianist, Ivo Neame, bassist Sam Lasserson and drummer James Maddren, the rhythm section are flexible and intelligent enough to deliver the promise in Julian Argüelles’ writing and arrangements. Exploratory in feel yet integrated in one strong and committed sound, the album is elegantly poised as possibly one of the great European contemporary Jazz albums of this year. 

For over three decades Julian Argüelles has been at the forefront of European Jazz, working with some of its finest practitioners including musicians of the calibre of Dave Holland, John Taylor, Django Bates, Kenny Wheeler, Phronesis, Mike Gibbs and Carla Bley to name some. With Tonadas, Argüelles has mindfully and boldly crafted a band and composed music that further defines him as a composer and musician for the future and promises to command the attention of fans and critics alike.

1. Alalá

2. Alfama

3. Bulerías

4. Tonadilla

5. Barrio Gótico

6. Alegrías

7. Sevilla

8. Tía Mercedes

Julian Argüelles tenor and soprano saxophones, percussion

Ivo Neame piano

Sam Lasserson double bass

James Maddren drums, percussion

Recorded by Stefano Amerio at ArteSuono, Udine, Italy in November 2017. 

Mixed and mastered by Stefano Amerio in January 2018.

Martin Speake Quartet ft. Ethan Iverson - Intention (UBUNTU MUSIC 2018)

Leading British saxophonist, composer and jazz educator Martin Speake celebrates his 60th birthday and the launch of his latest album Intention (2018 - Ubuntu Music), a revival of his musical alliance with one of the most high-profile, exciting and innovative American jazz pianists, The Bad Plus's Ethan Iverson. 

Citing Charlie Parker, Paul Motian, Lee Konitz, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman and Rabih Abou Khalil amongst his major influences, Martin Speake has developed a personal musical voice that expresses a deep understanding of the history and language of Jazz and an individuality as an improviser that is intelligent, melodic, cool, complex, direct, beautiful and profound. 

A member of the saxophone quartet Itchy Fingers in the 80s, he has recorded 18 albums as leader including the internationally acclaimed ECM release Change Of Heart with Paul Motian, Bobo Stenson and Mick Hutton. 

Intention a quartet recording with Ethan Iverson, Fred Thomas and James Maddren, captures the breadth of his music within a selection of originals composed throughout his notable career revisited and reinterpreted alongside these three exceptional musicians.

"Martin Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent." 

Jazz Times 

" . . . A dazzling exposition by a uniquely idiosyncratic virtuoso-scholar of jazz.” 

The Guardian on Ethan Iverson

1. Becky 05:32

2. Twister 06:53

3. Magic Show 02:51

4. Spring Dance 05:23

5. The Heron 06:21

6. Dancing in the Dark 05:53

7. Charlie's Wig 05:24

8. Blackwell 05:50

9. June 2nd 04:36

10. Hidden Vision 05:06

11. Intention 04:33

Martin Speake – saxophone

Ethan Iverson – piano

Fred Thomas – bass

James Maddren – drums

Enemy - Enemy (EDITION RECORDS May 25, 2018)

“Rip-roaring groove, mind-boggling polyrhythmic drumming, snapping physicality and sweeping piano runs from brittle street grooves”. THE GUARDIAN ****

ENEMY is the vital new piano trio featuring bassist Frans Petter Eldh, pianist Kit Downes and drummer James Maddren. Described as ‘fiercely intense’ and ‘beautifully intricate’, ENEMY spotlights three brilliant and creative musical minds committed to the exploration of new worlds of performance and music: total music, with each musician contributing equally in an authentic aesthetic display.

Each member of ENEMY has achieved personal recognition in the jazz and wider music world (including a Mercury Music Award Nomination, ECHO Jazz nomination, multiple Downbeat Critics Poll nominations and a BBC Jazz Award).

“We want this music to be fierce, vital and to have and give energy – and to do so whilst never sacrificing its intricacy and its integrity.” ENEMY

Frans Petter Eldh bass

Kit Downes piano

James Maddren drums

Listen Before You Buy
LP. CD. DN

Ivo Neame announces a new album with new lineup and new sound (EDITION RECORDS March 23, 2018)

NEW RELEASE

British pianist Ivo Neame announces the release of his new vibrant and progressive album 'Moksha' with new lineup and new sound.

Out 23rd March.

Available on LP, CD and DN

LISTEN BEFORE YOU BUY

IVO NEAME acoustic piano, fender rhodes,

mellotron, hammond organ, nord lead

GEORGE CROWLEY tenor saxophone

TOM FARMER acoustic bass

JAMES MADDREN drums

An innately gifted pianist, composer and bandleader, Ivo Neame has demonstrated over the last decade that he is a musician of world-class quality with a powerful spirit of adventure and exploration. He is by any measure an original and a risk-taker. With Moksha, he returns to Edition Records with an album that will define a new era for him in his already illustrious career. With a new band, a greater use of electronic keyboards and an edgier rhythmical groove and band interplay, Neame has produced his most remarkable and boldest musical statement to date.

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Bastian Stein (feat. Johannes Enders, Phil Donkin & James Maddren) - Viktor (2016)

Viktor is the name of trumpeter Bastian Stein's second Pirouet CD. It breaks out and into a completely new soundscape. Forgoing a harmony instrument, Stein along with saxophonist Johannes Enders, bassist Phil Donkin, and drummer James Maddren conjure up fascinating sounds with enormous latitude - sounds that have an unusually personal touch.

BASTIAN STEIN

Bastian Stein started studying classical trumpet aged 15 at the University for Classical Music in Vienna. After his studies there he began at the Jazz Department in Amsterdam. Bastian completed his master's degree in Vienna where he lived and worked until 2013. In 2006 he received the Hans Koller scholarship to study in New York where he was taught by many distinguished musicians. Upon his return, Bastian began work with several different groups including Joris Dudli Sextet, Vienna Jazz Orchestra, NuRandom, Fagner Wesely Quartet, Martin Reiter Quartet.

He released his debut album "Grounded“ with the German label Double Moon Records in 2012. In 2013, under the name of "Bastian Stein Group" (feat. Pablo Held, Matthias Pichler and Tobias Backhaus) Stein released his second album "Diegesis“ with Pirouet Records.

In 2013, Bastian moved to Cologne in Germany where he formed his new quartet featuring Johannes Enders (tenor saxophone), Phil Donkin (double bass) and James Maddren (drums). In 2016 this quartet will release their new album "Viktor“ with Pirouet Records. Among many other projects he also works often with the WDR Big Band (concerts with Diane Reeves, Joshua Redman, Avishai Cohen, Richie Beirach among others). 

Since 2014 Bastian has been teaching Jazz Trumpet at the University of Stuttgart.

Bastian Stein trumpet

Johannes Enders tenor saxophone

Phil Donkin bass

James Maddren drums

Tati

Hydrastis

Traces

It Seems

Off the Record

For Felician

Fantasia

Der Abschied

Domi