ALEXANDER HAWKINS TRIO (UK)

Alexander Hawkins is widely recognized as one of Britain’s most innovative and imaginative pianists and composers. He is self-taught with a great love and deep knowledge of the jazz tradition, which he brings to his compositions and performances along with classical references.

The three musicians have played together for many years in other projects led by Alexander, including his quartet and ensemble, and form the core of Mirror Canon, which released Break a Vase on Intakt Records in early 2022.

Alexander has collaborated with Anthony Braxton on a number of his projects. In early January 2020, the quartet toured Europe, recording each performance and releasing the monumental 13-CD live box set Anthony Braxton Quartet (Standards). The trio is also the core of John Surman’s quartet.

Alexander Hawkins – piano, synthesizer, sampler

In addition to his solo performances, Alexander Hawkins works in a variety of creative contexts, including as a leader and composer for his quartet and larger ensembles, in duo with South African percussion legend Louis Moholo-Moholo, and in Moholo’s Blokes; his duos with Evan Parker, Tomeka Reid, John Surman, Sofia Jernberg and Angelika Niescier; his trios with Nicole Mitchell and Tomeka Reid, with Tomeka and Chad Taylor, and with Neil Charles and Stephen Davis – and Decoy with John Edwards and Steve Noble, with Hawkins on Hammond B3. He also performs in projects by contemporary musicians – Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, Marshall Allen, John Surman and ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke.

Neil Charles – double bass

Neil Charles is one of the most sought-after musicians on the scene and has a wide range of performances to his credit, including appearances in the groups of Jack DeJohnette, Byron Wallen, Jose James, Jerry Dammers, Courtney Pine and Terence Blanchard. His own projects include Zed U, formed several years ago, and the younger ensemble Dark Days, for which he has also composed. He is known not only as a bassist with a tremendous sound and an impeccable sense of time, but also as a producer aka Ben Marc.

Stephen Davis – drums

Belfast-based drummer Stephen Davis is one-third of the heavyweight British free jazz trio Bourne Davis Kane alongside pianist Matthew Bourne and double bassist Dave Kane. He also leads the quartet Human, which includes Alexander Hawkins, Alex Bonney and Dylan Bates. He is the drummer for the Anthony Braxton group “The New Standard” and has played in the UK and Europe with Mark Ribot, Evan Parker, Ralph Alessi, Kris Davis, John Taylor, Rufus Reid, Paul Dunmall, Django Bates, Van Morrison and many others.

‘Sounds like all the future jazz you might imagine without ever being able to conceive of the details’ (The Guardian)

“A changeable instrumentalist who translates moods into tones, playfully analyzes truncates and contradicts in improvisations.”(Jazzpodium)

“Alexander Hawkins is bucking the trend. From Great Britain, the 37-year-old composer, organist, and pianist is currently taking Europe by storm. Because the smart quick thinker has a lot to tell and does it in a structured way.”(Culture Tip)

The trio possesses a genuine connection, one that allows each player to push, prod, stretch, and, at times, creatively sabotage the proceedings. Such activity throws nobody off; they instead react with quicksilver grace to every act of spontaneity.’(Chicago Reader)

9.5.2023

MPS-STUDIO

Admission 19:00
Start: 20:00

Admission members / Reduced: 18 Euro
Admission: 20 euros

Box office (if tickets still available / without guarantee): 22 Euro