This energetic quintet led by the exceptional New York pianist Dave Kikoski and the German saxophonist Reiner Witzel already thrilled a large audience at its premiere in Essen’s Grillo Theater in spring 2024.
It features a top-class cast including trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, who lived in New York for 30 years and played in the bands of Michael Brecker and Dave Holland as well as in the Mingus Big Band, Russian bassist Makar Novikov, who lives in Germany and is a permanent member of Alex Sipiagin’s band, and German drummer Tobias Frohnhöfer, known as a member of the Richie Beirach Trio, among others.
Dave Kikoski has been one of the most sought-after pianists on the New York jazz scene for many years and has played with Roy Haynes, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Joe Henderson and the Mingus Big Band, with whom he won a Grammy. In addition to numerous CDs that he has released under his own name, he can be heard on countless records. Roy Haynes’ album “Birds of a Feather”, on which he can be heard
alongside Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove and Dave Holland, also won a Grammy. His unmistakable style makes every one of his performances an experience. Chick Corea said about him :
„The brillant playing of Dave Kikoski just smokes. His playing is sparkling.“
The versatile and internationally reowned saxophonist Reiner Witzel has been a strong and active voice in the national and global music scene for many years. After his studies in New York, productions/concerts with Richie Beirach, Dave Liebman, Alex Sipiagin, Maceo Parker and many others earned him an international reputation. He has played worldwide at festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, Montevideo Jazz Festival and many others. With his longtime musical partner, the legendary pianist Richie Beirach and his bands “Witzel’s Venue” and “Drei im roten Kreis” with guests such as David Sanborn, Vernon Reid and Lew Soloff, he has released numerous CD’s that have made it into the English and Japanese jazz charts. After many productions with stars such as The Supremes, Third World, Fela Kuti, Udo Lindenberg, Defunkt, Roger Cicero and many others, he also has many fans in the pop and world music scene.
„Reiner’s soulful, powerful playing inspires me to do things I’ve never played before, very intense and at the same time extremely warm and expressive, an interesting balance between fire, energy and meditative calm.“
