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Partikel
"One of the most exciting trios working in improvised music" Jazz Podium
About Me
Partikel are three London based musicians all with very different
musical backgrounds who have come together to make music mixing
all of their favorite influences in a melodic, coherent and
accurate way. The music puts an interesting twist on the standard
jazz format while still honoring the tradition of deep harmony and
creative improvisation.
Drawing influence from African and Latin American music combined
with the style of the contemporary jazz scene, Partikel produce a
personal, committed and contemporary take on the saxophone trio.
Soulful melodies are combined seamlessly with complex mixed meter
vamps along with an instantly identifiable energy and band sound.
Since their Whirlwind debut as an acoustic trio (Cohesion, 2012), Partikel have
progressively pushed at the developmental possibilities, and 2015’s String Theory
– augmenting the line-up of Duncan Eagles (saxophones), Max Luthert (double
bass) and Eric Ford (drums) with string quartet – generated significant interest,
spawning numerous gigs both in the UK and internationally. These live
experiences (including a month touring China) saw the band’s sound climbing to
new heights, enhanced by the work of violinist Benet McLean and super-sized
with the creative blends enabled by digital harmonizers, pedals and programming.
So vibrant new release Counteraction shifts up yet another gear, with music
crafted specifically around this forward-thinking approach, while also introducing
atmospheric electric guitarist Ant Law, flautist and baritone saxophonist Anna
Cooper, and electronic sound designer Sisi Lu. The compositions (mostly by
Eagles) explore fascinating textural avenues, balancing and integrating them with
the band’s original sax, bass and drums identity to create often strikingly unusual
resonances.
The band also have been running a successful night for the past 5
years at one of London's premier jazz venues The Hideaway in
Streatham. As bassist Max Luthert rightly states we have been
hanging out and playing together so much over the past 5 years
this is really starting to develop a strong and cohesive band
sound. Rarely do jazz groups get the opportunity to work together
and develop their art as much as Partikel has resulting in a
fresh, melodic and fiercely interactive set of passionate and
sincere music, while presenting an original take on the classic
jazz saxophone trio.
Cohesion was included in renowned critic Kevin Le Gendre's list of
the top 10 Jazz Albums of 2012. Other artists in this top ten
included Robert Glasper, Steve Lehman, Gregory Porter and Billy
Hart. Partikel have also been nominated for the prestigious
'London Jazz Award 2011'.