NIKLAS LUKASSEN: STILL WATERS RUN DEEP
with Ben van Gelder, Kit Downes & Francesco Ciniglio
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Niklas Lukassen's international quartet with saxophonist Ben van Gelder, pianist Kit Downes, drummer Francesco Ciniglio, unites protagonists of the jazz scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin. Still Waters Run Deep, Niklas Lukassen's band leader debut release (due for release on Kurt Rosenwinkel's Heartcore Records), surfaces a many-layered artistic voice with a distinctive, radiant musical vision. On the album he merges his talents as a composer, bassist and also as a vocalist on one track. Enriched by musical contributions from guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, vocalist Céline Rudolph, saxophonist Wanja Slavin & trombonist Geoffroy De Masure, his album reveals further striking musical layers. The creation of Still Waters Run Deep, resembles an improvisational synergy, which like water, flows through river forks into unexpected directions, at times producing pounding waves of collective, raw energy.
ECHO
with Immy Churchill, Jonny Mansfield & Ananda Brandao
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With Echo, Niklas Lukassen showcases his passion for lyrics and songwriting, while also staying true to his nature as an improviser. With each piece inhabiting a unique character, the music presents itself as a consequence of both self reflection and empathic extrospection. It embraces vulnerability through a spectrum of emotions, colorfully brought to life in collective synergy. Echo’s exciting instrumentation includes Immy Churchill on vocals, Jonny Mansfield on vibraphone, Ananda Brandao on drums and Niklas Lukassen on a unique hybrid instrument, the bass cello. Together they tell musical stories in a dialogue of creative interplay between all members.
ECHO delivers tense narration, which surprises with twists that stimulate imagination. The landscapes painted through words and sounds, stay with the listener as a vividly echoing memory.
NIKLAS LUKASSEN BASS CELLO TRIO
with Gwilym Simcock & James Maddren​
The newly formed trio around bassist & band leader Niklas Lukassen also features pianist Gwilym Simcock and drummer James Maddren. Together they explore untrodden musical paths with Niklas on the bass cello, a unique and novel instrument.