NIKLAS LUKASSEN: STILL WATERS Record Release

Bela Meinberg (piano), Niklas Lukassen (double bass) & Ivars Arutyunyan (dr)

Niklas Lukassen is astonished with a picturesque sense of instrumental lyrics on the double bass, the bass guitar and a unique cello. After his return from New York, he now lives between London and Berlin. He established himself with increasing presence in the European jazz scene. With his individual sound, he also exudes a significant bandleader potential.

Niklas Lukassen dives with his bandleader debut album Still Waters on Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Heartcore Records and liner notes by Ron Carter into a multifaceted sound world. His artistic vision is supported by his talents as composer, bassist and singer (Luna). His internationally renowned quartet combines with the alto saxophonist Ben van Gelder, the pianist Kit Downes and the drummer Francesco Ciniglio captivating individualists of the scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin into a shape-shifting, synergistic element.

Like water, the ensemble paves its way through multi-layered realms in flowing improvisations. In this case, it can strike huge waves in a deliberately daring collision. Enriched by guest appearances by Kurt Rosenwinkel, Celine Rudolph, Wanja Slavin and Geoffroy de Masure, unprecedented depths are explored in supposedly quiet musical waters.