ARTISTIC PROFILE:

“The fleet, youthful ensemble is deeply entrenched in jazz’s 21st century incarnations, embracing genre-hopping styles, global influences and a devotion to collective freedom.“
– AllAboutJazz-New York, Februar 2009

“They are among the most interesting names of the young scene, not only in Hamburg.“
– Jazzthetik, November 2008

“…seasoned grandmaster of his craft with three highly talented and in all styles of jazz history versed young professionals (Boris Netsvetaev, Phillip Steen, Kai Bussenius)…”“
– Die Welt, 21.01.2008 - concert review, Wolfgang Schlüter Quartet

BORIS NETSVETAEV (p), PHILIPP STEEN (b) und KAI BUSSENIUS (ds).They have the features necessary to give this so complex and traditional trio setting an original character: they are devoted to the music as a whole, they are virtuosos on their instruments, they are young and at the same time have collected a huge wealth of experience. And … they are friends.

Since the founding of the Hammer Klavier Trio in 2002, their individual personalities miraculously melt together when they head to the improvisational journey with an interlude of Prokofiev, an African folk song or an ostinato funk groove. Their music is always one thing:

“Straight-Ahead Jazz, somewhere between Monk and Bad Plus.“ – Jazzthetik, November 2008The “Hammer Klavier Trio” (HKT) plays acoustic and electric, structured and free, experimental and traditional.

The debut album “Now I know who shot JFK” was released 2008 at the Swiss Jazz label Altrisuoni. A second publication, which will also bring out the electric sound of the trio, is in preparation and planned for 2011.
Stay tuned!

REFERENCES:

Hamburger Jazztage, Feldtmann Kulturell, Jazzclub at Stellwerk, Jazzclub Rostock, Jazzahead! 2010, Birdland Hamburg, Casa del Jazz Rom, Ankerwurf ELBJAZZ Town Hall Hamburg, …

BIOs:

Boris Netsvetaev (p)is a young jazz musician, composer, pianist, keyboardist and teacher residing in Hamburg.
Flexibility and exchange between the musical cultures characterize him. He plays both acoustic and (old) electric instruments, always according to the situation.

He was born on 29 November 1977 in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he studied music theory and composition at Rhymsky-Korsakov Music College, moved to Germany at age 18 and continued his jazz studies at the University of Music and Drama in Hamburg.

Boris studied with Dieter Glawischnig (piano, arrangement), Wolfgang Schlüter, Lucas Lindholm (ensemble), he also participated in 1999 at the International Jazz Workshop in Banff, Canada, and took classes with teachers as Joe Lovano, Dave Holland, Kenny Werner, Dave Douglas, Hugh Fraser and Ari Hoenig.

In his young career, especially his work with U.S. drum legend Steve Reid starting in 2000 needs to be emphasized. Together they recorded several successful CDs and toured internationally.

Another notable project is the “Wolfgang Schlüter Quartet”, led by Germany’s vibraphone legend Wolfgang Schlüter, on bass Philipp Steen, on drums Kai Bussenius.

In addition, he played with Herb Geller, Lew Soloff, Franco Ambrosetti, Billy Harper, Howard Johnson, Danny Gottlieb, John Marshall, Keith Copeland and the NDR Big Band.

Festivals: ELBJAZZ (2010), London Jazz Festival (2007/2004), Hamburger Jazztage (2010/2007/2006/2004) Festival Banleus Bleues in Paris (2007), Slaný Jazz Festival in Czech Republic (2003), Olten Jazz Festival in Switzerland (2003), Lugano Jazz Festival (2002), Jazz Festival Avignon (2002), Ingolstädter Jazztage (2001), Leverkusener Jazztage (2000), Plovdiv International Jazz Festival in Bulgaria (1999).

Boris Netsvetaev understands his grand piano as well as his Fender Rhodes as a pianoforte. A percussive instrument, which allows all aspects of dynamics and rhythm. Boris is not only familiar with Debussy but with Beethoven… not just with Keith Jarrett, but also with Harold Mabern.

In 2000 Boris was awarded the prize “MEDICA per musica” and in 2006 the “Dr. E. A. Langner jazz scholarship”.

“…a native of St. Petersburg virtuoso Boris Netsvetaev…“ - Die Welt, 08.07.2009

“Hope of the Hamburg jazz scene“ - Hamburger Abendblatt, 6.9.2006

Philipp Steen (b)is a jazz bassist (double bass and electric bass) living in his native city of Hamburg, *08.02.1977.

From 1998 to 2002 Philipp studied jazz and classical music at the University of Music and Theatre in Hamburg with Lucas Lindholm / Willi Beyer (double bass / electric bass), Dieter Glawischnig / Fredrick Schwenk (theory / arrangement) and participated in the contact program Popular Music.

Upon successful completion, he attended master classes with Greats such as Ed Thigpen, Kenny Wheeler and David Friesen. In 2008 he was awarded the “Dr. E. A. Langner jazz scholarship”.

Since 1995 Philip Steen plays as a permanent member of various groups: Herb Geller, Wolfgang Schlüter Quartet, Florian Trübsbach, Günter Fuhlisch and Ladi Geisler, Lutz Büchner, Buggy Braune, “Eisenrot” (Heinz-Erich Goedecke), Milla Kay and Paulo Pereira.

His virtuoso talent is recognized and he is often booked for free engagements and international top musicians: Joshua Redman, Eric Alexander, David Schnitter, Bud Shank, Ayako Shirasaki, Danny Gottlieb, Torsten Goods, Johannes Lauer, Billy Harper, Howard Johnson, Lew Soloff, Gary Husband, etc.

Festivals: Hamburg -ELBJAZZ- (2010), Berlin (2008/2005), Salzau -Jazz Baltica- (2008/2004), Aalen (2007), Ingolstadt (2007), Hamburg (2010/2007/2006/2004), Frankfurt (2005), Leverkusen (2004), Thessaloniki (2002), Bilbao (2002), Avignon (2002) and in Leipzig (2000) have been recorded for broadcast by NDR, WDR, RBB, MDR, HR and SWR.

He also advocates for the jazz scene of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. This is shown by his work as artistic director and organizer of the concert series: Soular (2002 - 2004), Pony Bar (2004 - present), House of Culture 73 (2006 - present).

Philip Steen plays his bass in the consciousness of the tradition but is always looking for something new.

“Philipp Steen, one of the outstanding young musicians in the Hanseatic city…“ - Hamburger Abendblatt, 10.06.2010

“…the also internationally experienced band-youngster Philipp Steen with his full-bodied bass tone, that he plays just as precise as massive.“ - Die Welt, 23.09.2004
about the last concert at the Hamburger Literaturhaus, Trio with Lutz Büchner and Björn Lücker

Kai Bussenius (dr)Born in Bremen, *30 June 1976 remained, despite interim periods in world cities like New York City and Berlin, faithful to his adopted hometown of Hamburg and earned a reputation as a jazz drummer with “fascinating technique and a lot of musical intuition“ - Drums & Percussion, January 2005.

From 1996 to 2002 he studied drums at the University of Music and Drama in Hamburg with Wolfgang Haffner, Hans Dekker, Ed Thigpen, Gene Jackson and Gerry Brown.

He received musical inspiration from the department head and former conductor of the NDR Big Band Dieter Glawischnig and from Wolfgang Schlüter, becoming a permanent member of his quartet with Boris Netsvetaev and Philipp Steen. From 1999 to 2002 Kai Bussenius was on the drums of the Federal Jazz Orchestra conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer.

In 2003 he recorded his debut album under his own name with Michael Wollny on piano and Lucas Lindholm on bass, touring with this lineup. The CD of the trio “This Town” was published in 2004 by Mons Records and received excellent reviews, for example:“The best piece is the original composition “This Town”, which already refers to the fact that Bussenius has a promising future ahead of him…“ - Jazzpodium, January 2005.

The adoption of a promising future has been reinforced by the award of a DAAD scholarship, which he spent 2004-2005 in New York City, as well as being awarded the scholarship from the Jazz Foundation of Dr. E. A. Langner for Hamburg jazz musicians in 2007.

Being in high demand as sideman he played with musicians like John Abercrombie, Kenny Wheeler, Lew Soloff, Franco Ambrosetti, Billy Harper, Howard Johnson, Gary Husband, Wolfgang Schlüter, Herb Geller, Dave Liebman, Ayako Shirasaki, Joja Wendt, Tom Gäbel and Ulita Knaus.

Kai Bussenius learned from the innovations of Mel Lewis, Paul Motian, Jack DeJohnette, especially one conclusion: be original.

“…Kai Bussenius who guarantees regularly unleashed phenomenal drum sound.“ - Frankische Nachrichten, 3.8.2004

“… a tremendously swinging drummer who can groove and crack it…“ - Concerto, April 2004

“The exchange with the phenomenal drummer Kai Bussenios…“ - Die Welt, 13.07.2002