Peter Van Huffel.com

Peter Van Huffel
Saxophonist / Clarinetist / Composer

Email: vanhuffel.peter [at] gmail [dot] com
Phone: +49 (0) 163 877 6714

Record Labels:

Between the Lines (Germany) - Gorilla Mask
Wizmar Records (Germany) - House of Mirrors
Fresh Sound Records (Spain) - PVH Quintet / PVH Quartet
Clean Feed Records (Portugal) - HuffLiGNoN

"The Berlin-based Canadian alto saxophonist, Peter van Huffel may be one of the most intense performers on this instrument. He creates sharp images with his playing, is exceedingly energetic—in sections of music that demand quieter moments his calmness is most elastic and taut—and... he has an inventive sense of rhythm. In this respect he is like Eric Dolphy, who played with a pulse that originated from the inventions of Charlie Parker, but carried the ideas of that genius into a wholly different sphere of consciousness. While Van Huffel may have some ground to cover before he hits the markers that Dolphy did in his lifetime, he may be half way there already."

Raul d'Gama Rose - All About Jazz, March 2010

GORILLA MASK Canadian Tour Dates
now available!

See the concert listings to the right --->>>

And click here to order your copy of "HOWL!" - the new CD by Peter Van Huffel's GORILLA MASK!

"Huffel’s more direct, confrontational method results in a thrash-jazz record that’s more purposeful, unpredictable and just plain fun. Huffel and Gorilla Mask have created the perfect gateway drug into acoustic jazz for Henry Rollins fans." (Something Else! Review by S. Victor Aaron)

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In other news: (posted 14.04.13)

Peter has just finished recording a new CD for the Fresh Sound / New Talent label with an exciting new trio - BOOM CRANE - featuring bassist Michael Bates, drummer Jeff Davis, and Peter on alto sax and clarinet. Details on the release will be posted to this page later this year.

Peter has also just recorded a new double-vinyl with Athens, GA based guitarist Dan Nettles. The album features Dan's regular working trio with bassist Robby Handley and drummer Marlon Patton, as well as special guests "The Horns from Hell", consisting of Greg Sinabaldi on Tenor and Bari saxes, Jacob Wick on trumpet and Peter on Alto and Clarinet.

AND ... the new CD by HOUSE OF MIRRORS will soon be released on Wizmar Records! Keep posted for reviews and details on purchasing! The CD will be available on this website within the coming weeks...

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Follow Peter and Gorilla Mask on Facebook

Featured Video: (uploaded 24.06.2012)

NEW Press Video featuring GORILLA MASK Live @
the Jazz & More Festival, Sibiu Romania - October 16th, 2011

-> For more videos, please visit Peter's YouTube Page

Concert Listings: For Past Performances click here

APRIL 2013

Fri. 5th	20:00	Andy Schofield/Peter Van Huffel Standards Quartet	Cafe Tasso	Berlin DE
Thurs. 11th	20:00	GORILLA MASK w/ opening band Jennessen-Rupp-Mahall	WABE	Berlin DE
Thurs. 18th	20:00	GORILLA MASK	Recyclart	Brussels BE
Fri. 19th	21:00	GORILLA MASK	MOFO	Antwerp BE
Sat. 20th	21:00	GORILLA MASK	Handelsbeurs	Gent BE

MAY 2013

Tues. 7th	20:00	Carte Blanche Series w/ Ken Alcroft (gt), Rudi Fischerlehner (dr)	Cafe Tasso	Berlin DE
Sat. 11th	21:00	Ken Alcroft Solo & Van Huffel / Aldcroft Quintet	Sowieso	Berlin DE

JUNE 2013

Mon. 3rd	21:00	The Music of Anthony Braxton w/ Nathan Bontrager (cello) a.o.	Club der Polnischen Versager	Berlin DE
Tues. 4th	20:00	Carte Blache Series w/ Lina Allemano (tp), Nathan Bontrager (cello)	Cafe Tasso	Berlin DE
Sat. 8th	TBA	GORILLA MASK	Lohmuehle Festival	Berlin DE

GORILLA MASK CROSS-CANADA TOUR
JUNE 22nd to JULY 10th 2013

Sa. 22.06.13	Kingston Jazz Festival (Baby Grand Studio Theatre)	10:00pm	Kingston, ON
Tu. 25.06.13	Ottawa Jazz Festival (National Arts Centre, 4th Stage)	10:00pm	Ottawa, ON
We. 26.06.13	Silence (Double-Bill w/ ENGINE quintet)	8:00pm	Guelph, ON
Fr. 28.06.13	Edmonton Jazz Festival (Catalyst Theatre)	8:00pm	Edmonton, AB
Sa. 29.06.13	Vancouver Jazz Festival (Roundhouse)	5:00pm	Vancouver, BC
Su. 30.06.13	Vancouver Jazz Festival (Workshop - Location TBA)	1:30pm	Vancouver, BC
Tu. 02.07.13	The Emmet Ray (Double-Bill w/ ENGINE quintet)	9:00pm	Toronto, ON
We. 03.07.13	Tranzac (Double-Bill w/ ENGINE quintet)	9:00pm	Toronto, ON
Th. 04.07.13	Casa del Popolo (Double-Bill w/ ENGINE quintet)	9:00pm	Montreal, QC
Sa. 06.07.13	Halifax Jazz Festival (1313 Hollis)	10:00pm	Halifax, NS
Su. 07.07.13	Savoy Theatre	8:00pm	Glace Bay, NS
Mo. 08.07.13	The Split Crow	9:00pm	Antigonish, NS
We. 10.07.13	Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues (Venue TBA)	10:00pm	St. John's , NL

AUGUST 2013

Sat. 8th

TBA

The Scrambling EX

Lohmuehle Festival

Berlin DE

SEPTEMBER 2013

Wed. 18th	21:00	House of Mirrors	Kunstfabrik-Shlot	Berlin, DE
Thurs. 26th	20:30	GORILLA MASK	Jazz in Greifswald	Greifswald, DE

OCTOBER 2013

Fri. 4th	20:30	Scott Fields' Freetet	The LOFT	Cologne DE
Sat. 5th	Time TBA	Scott Fields' Freetet	Jazz & More Festival	Sibiu RO
Sun. 6th	Time TBA	The Scrambling EX	Jazz & More Festival	Sibiu RO

NOVEMBER 2013

Fri. 1st	21:00	GORILLA MASK	Kuenstlerwerkstatt	Pfaffenhofen, DE
Sat. 2nd	20:00	GORILLA MASK	Kunsthaus Nexus	Saalfelden, AT
Tues. 19th	21:00	The Scrambling EX	Fatjazz	Hamburg DE

DECEMBER 2013

Sun. 1st

21:00

House of Mirrors

B-Flat

Berlin DE

About PETER VAN HUFFEL:

"Saxophonist Peter Van Huffel may be one of the most intense performers on this instrument," says Raul d'Gama Rose of All About Jazz. He has played an active role in many of the world’s top jazz scenes, having held multiple performances in major music cities such as New York, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris and London; and he has led numerous tours across Europe, the US and his native Canada. Steve Smith of Time Out New York has referred to Peter as “a compelling melodist with a fiery outward-bound streak and a penchant for layering opposed rhythms in quirky, compelling ways..." and in a review of 2008’s HuffLiGNoN, Wilbur MacKenzie of All About Jazz NY, said that “Van Huffel’s playing… is richly nuanced, with melody and texture seamlessly integrated to create colorful and evocative statements.”

A prolific saxophonist, clarinetist and composer, Peter Van Huffel appears frequently in all sorts of ensembles and musical settings with musicians from around the world. He is the leader of the energy-packed hard-rock/free-jazz trio GORILLA MASK, (with bassist Roland Fidezius and drummer Rudi Fischerlehner), which has been together since 2009 and has performed at some of the most recognized music venues in Europe. They released their first official CD, "HOWL!", in November 2012 on the renowned German avant- jazz label “Between the Lines Records”, and have received multiple rave reviews for the recording from across Europe, the US, Canada and Japan. GORILLA MASK will be touring through multiple countries in Europe over the coming year, and has plans for a cross Canada tour in summer 2013.

Peter also co-leads the Berlin based ensemble House of Mirrors with Belgian vocalist Sophie Tassignon: a chamber style group - also featuring pianist Julie Sassoon and bassist Miles Perkin - which will release it's first CD in March, 2013 on the German label "Wizmar Records" - a division of NRW Jazz. The music of House of Mirrors covers an eclectic array of musical spectrums, including influences from 20th century composers like Ligeti and Messaein, exploratory improvisations and cleverly unpredictable songs...

Main Projects: (for more project infos please click the links below the band listings)

Peter Van Huffel's "GORILLA MASK"

Peter Van Huffel (alto sax, composer)
Roland Fidezius (bass)
Rudi Fischerlehner (drums)

www.reverbnation.com/gorillamask

Recording: "HOWL" (Between the Lines)
Release Date: November, 2012

HOUSE OF MIRRORS

Sophie Tassignon (voice, composer)
Peter Van Huffel (clarinet, soprano sax, composer)
Julie Sassoon (piano)
Miles Perkin (bass)

www.reverbnation.com/houseofmirrorsmusic

Recording: "ACT ONE" (Wizmar Records)
Release Date: March, 2013 (TBC)

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SIDE PROJECTS:

The Scrambling EX - Video Preview
Andreas Willers (gt), Oliver Steidle (dr) PVH (as, cl)

Boom Crane - currently no webpage available
PVH (as, cl), Michael Bates (bs), Jeff Davis (dr)

Andy Schofield Quartet - www.reverbnation.com/andyschofieldquartet
Andy Schofield (as), PVH (as, ss), Suzanne Higgins (ts), Lothar Ohlmeier (b. cl)

Scott Fields Freetet - www.scottfields.com
Scott Fields (gtr), PVH (as), Hugo Antunes (bs), Joao Lobo (dr)

HUM- currently no webpage available
Daniel Praetzlich (dr), Moritz Cartheuser (gt), Alex Bayer (bs), PVH (as, ss, cl)
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MUSIC: for a complete discography see "About" to the left

COMING SOON! The new CD by House of Mirrors
- "ACT ONE" - will be released in Spring 2013 on
Germany's WIZMAR Records! Keep posted for more details...

2012 Between the Lines

PVH's GORILLA MASK - HOWL!

Peter Van Huffel - alto sax
Roland Fidezius - bass, noise
Rudi Fischerlehner - drums, percussion

Sample 1: Fucked
Sample 2: Z

Click here for more samples and purchasing info

2010 Fresh Sound/New Talent

PVH Quartet Like the Rusted Key

Peter Van Huffel - sax
Jesse Stacken - piano
Miles Perkin - bass
Samuel Rohrer - drums

Sample 1: Tangent
Sample 2: Backward Momentum

Click here for more info and to purchase CD's

2008 Clean Feed Records

PVH / Sophie Tassignon HuffLiGNoN

Peter Van Huffel - as, ss
Sophie Tassignon - vx
Samuel Blaser - tb
Michael Bates - bs

Sample 1: Degringolade
Sample 2: Cum Dederit (Vivaldi)

Click here for more info and to purchase CD's

2007 Fresh Sound/New Talent

PVH Quintet Silvester Battlefield

Peter Van Huffel - as, ss
Scott DuBois - gt
Jesse Stacken - pn
Michael Bates - bs
Jeff Davis - dr

Sample 1: Closed Tight
Sample 2: Delirium

Click here for more info and to purchase CD's

PHOTO GALLERY: click here to see more

Featured Press: Click here for more articles and reviews

NEW REVIEWS FOR "PETER VAN HUFFEL'S GORILLA MASK - HOWL!"

8.03.2013 - Gapplegate Music Review (by Grego Edwards) - Please click here

5.02.2013 - Der Standard (Austria) "Das Noise-Jazz-Tier bruellt" (von Andreas Felber) - Please click here

January 2013: Downtown Music Gallery Newsletter (NYC) - Peter Van Huffel's GORILLA MASK - HOWL! - Please click here

Jazzthing Magazine #97 (Germany) : "Peter Van Huffel's GORILLA MASK - In Your Face" (von Rolf Thomas) - "die urwuechsige Kraft des Free Jazz mit der Energie von brachialer Rockmusik zu kombinieren..."

25.01.2013 - Tomajazz : Bad Music Jazz by Pachi Tapiz - "CD OF THE MONTH" - Please click here

18.01.2013 - New Review from Belgium by Jacques Prouvost - Please click here

15.01.2013 - Step Tempest Review by Richard B. Kamins - Please click here

13.01.2013 - Die Kopfhoerer (DE) - Review by Julian - Please click here

11.01.2013 - Schaumedia - Listing for Feb 11th performance at Porgy & Bess, Vienna - Please click here

05.01.2013 - The Freejazz Collective (by Philip Coombs) - Please click here

January 2013 - Village Voice NY Critics Poll Listing for GORILLA MASK - Please click here

Jazz 'n' More (Switzerland) January 2013 (Joerg So"lothurnmann) - Van Huffels kerniger Altoton ist dreckig und vibratoreich, und auch die Textur seines Spiels erinnert an Ayler und noch mehr an Brotzmann. Die artikulierte notenreiche Spielweise nach Steve Coleman kennt er, doch seine Improvisationen fasern meistens schnell aus in emotionelle Sounds. Den Unterschied machen die Kollegen. Fidezius zupft den Kontrabass bullig wie ein Rocker. Mit dem Bogen schafft er farbige Flaechen oder Gegenlinien und mit seiner Zusatzelektronik Hendrix/artige Uebersteuerungen..."

28.12.2012 - Leipziger Volkszeitung (Review) - "Ohne Umwege zielt die heftige Spassmusik des Altsaxofonisten Peter Van Huffel mitten auf die Zwoelf. Sein von Bass und Drums grundiertes Trio nimmt die Haltung Altvorderer wie Albert Ayler oder Peter Broetzmann auf und kanalisiert diese roehrende Intensitaet unterm vom Beatnik Allen Ginsberg entlehnten Titel hin zu Hard Rock und Metal..."

07.12.2012 - Victor Aaron's Top Albums for 2012: Whack Jazz (Something Else! Reviews) - Please click here

CONCERTO Magazine (Austria) - Dezember / Jänner 2012 - "Dass er da einigen beispielsgebenden Trios von Albert Ayler, Peter Brötzmann, Ornette Coleman, Steve Coleman oder George Garzones Fringe-Trio im Geiste der Jazz-geschichte folgt, ist ebenso zwingend, wie es letztlich immer darum geht, den Moment einzufangen, ob Live oder im Studio..."

15.11.2012 from Digitale Jazz Zeitung, Germany - Please click here

05.11.2012 from Something Else! Reviews (by S. Victor Aaron) - "Huffel and his crew, dubbed "Gorilla Mask," bring both the Brötzmann and the Black Flag in a tidy, compact package... Huffel's more direct, confrontational method results in a thrash-jazz record that's more purposeful, unpredictable and just plain fun. Huffel and Gorilla Mask have created the perfect gateway drug into acoustic jazz for Henry Rollins fans." Read the full review

02.11.2012 from Massimo Ricci's "Touching Extremes" - "Van Huffel's improvisational vision rides across the rippling vehemence with a combination of fervour and matter-or-factness, with the add-on of near-pastoral explorations of melody..." Read the full review

26.10.2012 from The Stash Dauber - "Van Huffel and his men have given us an engaging new way of hearing freeblow, in much the same way as Neneh Cherry and The Thing did on their debut disc. Damn,it looks like I'm going to have to revise my year-end Top 10 list when the Village Voice come calling..." Read the full review

25.10.2012 from Titel Kulturmagazin, Germany - Please click here

25.10.2012 from Jazz Tokyo / Five by Five - Please click here or for an English translation Please click here

Also make sure to check out the new reviews in the November editions of Germany's Jazz Podium and Jazz Thing Magazines plus the full article on GORILLA MASK in the Nov/Dec issue of Jazzthetik: "Peter Van Huffel's GORILLA MASK - KING KONG on Dope?!"