A
gig
held at Bristol Beacon
on Sunday 14th September. The event starts at 20:00.
Michael Arbenz (Piano)
Andy Sheppard (Saxes)
Swiss born Michael Arbenz, is a classically trained pianist and jazz musician, combines his curiosity for new ideas with the experience of his classical training. Micheal is now 'Head of the Institute for Jazz and Folk Music' at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Michael discovered his love of jazz as a child. His independent approach to jazz tradition and other improvised music led to a very personal approach. Michael along with his twin brother Florian (Drums) formed the trio VEIN in late 2005 and successfully toured throughout Europe, North and South America and Asia and they collaborated with some of the best 'A-List Jazzers' in the world, for example, Greg Osby, Ron Carter, Dave Liebman & Wolfgang Puschnig.
In June 2016 I booked the Vein Trio in Bristol at the Hen & Chicken, The guys had expressed an interest in working with Andy Sheppard. I was able to facilitate that connection, with Andy sitting in on the gig. Andy did several European tours with Vein; now, this duo is a spin off of that association and is their second tour together.
Andy, a former Bristol resident, makes his home nowadays in Portugal. This world class saxophonist continues his stellar career, touring Europe and the world in the company of some of the best musicians on the planet. From Shankar to Christine McGregor, Nigel Kennady to Carla Bley, John Martyn & Gil Evans, he is comfortable in all styles and genres of music. His own multi album compositions and many bands have seen over 30 years at the top of the jazz tree. Andy is also a ECM recording artist
Their performance promises to be a journey through a rich tapestry of sounds, weaving together their extensive experiences and diverse influences. Whether interpreting the works of Bach or Ellington, each piece is given a fresh perspective through their unique musical dialogue. The concert is not only a testament to their technical prowess but also to their deep musical connection, making it a must-see event for Jazz enthusiasts and Classical music lovers alike. Expect an evening filled with innovation, emotion, and exceptional artistry, as these two masters of their craft bring their shared vision to life.
"Michael Arbenz brings his inner world to classical music, making it his own work. It's normal; he takes a theme, whether it's Debussy, Brahms, or another, it doesn't matter; he adheres to their inspirations, twists them, and elevates them." Paris Move
"With his soft sound, delicate massaging of tonal minutiae, improvisational inventiveness and eclectic tastes, Andy Sheppard has long sounded like an ECM artist ... " The Guardian