German- born, New York-seasoned "versatile bass virtuoso" (Jazzwise) Niklas Lukassen presents his acclaimed new album 'Still Waters', released on Kurt Rosenwinkel's Heartcore Records. His internationally renowned quartet with saxophonist Ben van Gelder, pianist Ivo Neame and drummer Francesco Ciniglio, fuses captivating individualists of the jazz scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin into one symbiotic musical organism. 'Still Waters' is a radiant display of Niklas Lukassen's talents as a bass player, composer and as a vocalist on one piece. With natural improvisational flow, this ensembles interplay surfaces unimagined musical depths.
Niklas ventured from an inconspicuous village in the South German Black Forest out into a life of creative opportunity. At 16, he left for Berlin to immerse himself in the scene of the German capital. He eventually moved to New York, where, under the mentorship of Ron Carter, he completed his master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music on a full scholarship. As part of his doctoral research at the Royal Academy of Music in London, he continues to deepen and develop his unique artistic ideas.
Niklas' acclaimed debut album Still Waters, released on Kurt Rosenwinkel's labelHeartcore Records, surfaced made waves internationally. His quartet, alongside saxophonist Ben van Gelder, pianist Kit Downes, and drummer Francesco Ciniglio, fuses captivating individualists from the jazz scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris, and Berlin. It is further enriched by musical contributions from artists including Kurt Rosenwinkel and Wanja Slavin.
He is also the creative mind behind ECHO, a band in which he embraces his penchant for lyric writing while staying true to his nature as an improviser. Furthermore, in his trio, alongside pianist Gwilym Simcock and drummer James Maddren, he ventures on untrodden musical paths on a novel instrument: the bass cello.
Adept across contrasting musical worlds, Niklas has accompanied performances with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jorge Rossy, Mike Stern, Norma Winstone, Will Vinson, Tim Garland, Adam Nussbaum, and the New York Voices. Among his recording credits is the Grammy Award-nominated album Some Days Are Better by the Kenny Wheeler Legacy Project. Notably, he was also a singer in the German National Jazz Orchestra.
Niklas has toured in Europe, North America, Asia, and North Africa, appearing at leading venues including Lincoln Center, Beacon Theatre, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Southbank Centre, and the Berliner Philharmonie.
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"A versatile bass virtuoso" Jazzwise
"A great bassist with very musical instincts!" Mike Stern
"Niklas Lukassen is clearly developing his own artistic voice on his instrument and has a gift for jazz composition." Richie Beirach
Will Vinson // Alto saxophone
Ivo Neame // Piano
Jon Scott // Drums
Niklas Lukassen // Bass.