Eric Schaefer breathes new vivacity into the old master with infusions of progrock and new wave, ambient and dub: Welcome to the club, Mr. Wagner!
Michael Wollny and Eva Kruse certainly won't take it personally when we say that Eric Schaefer stands most clearly for the pop element and humorous undertones in the trio [em], "Germany's most creative jazz trio" (Kulturspiegel). This Berlin drummer "has proven uncompromising vitality in totally different directions such as free improvisations and classical compositions, punk and diverse folklore, new music, minimal music, pop and electronic" (Neue Zürcher Zeitung), and in the widest range of band projects away from [em], from "Soulmate" and "Henosis" to "Johnny La Marama" and the Arne Jansen Trio. Schaefer always makes use of the entire pallet of more recent music history, his drum set enhanced with percussion instruments, many of which he made himself, and electronics, to create his very own personal sound mix, which the newspaper Die Zeit says makes him one of "the secret central stars of the […] German jazz scene"
Line Up:
Eric Schaefer / drums & electronics
Tom Arthurs / trumpet & flugelhorn
Volker Meitz / organ, Fender Rhodes & keyboards
John Eckhardt / bass
ACT