| Peter Van Huffel : Projects |
Peter Van Huffel's GORILLA MASK
Peter Van Huffel - saxophones |
GORILLA MASK is an explosive Berlin based trio led by Canadian Saxophonist Peter Van Huffel. Featuring the outstanding rhythm section of bassist Roland Fidezius (a regular collaborator of Peter’s since 2004) anddrummer Rudi Fischerlehner, this group plays with an intensity and energy rarely found in the jazz world. Sometimes referred to as “the loudest jazz trio in Berlin,” the group at times resembles more a Heavy-Metal group, incorporating rock riffs and simple melodies into their energy packed shows. Other songs have direct influences from the more common free jazz greats like John Coltrane and Albert Ayler. Whatever they play though, it is safe to
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Sophie Tassignon & Peter Van Huffel's "HOUSE OF MIRRORS"
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A follow-up to Belgian vocalist Sophie Tassignon and Canadian saxophonist Peter Van Huffel's previous band, “HuffLiGNoN”, (named after their 2008 Clean Feed Records release), this new formation features the brilliant British pianist Julie Sassoon who has quickly become a main staple of the Berlin new and improvised music scenes; and Canadian bassist Miles Perkin, a member of the Peter Van Huffel Quartet, and a musician who is highly commended for his individual approach to the bass and his intriguing solo performances. This is a truly unique new group, which delves into many spectrums of the improvised music world. Tassignon, renowned for her ability to sing “unsingable melodies” with her own individual style, is a co-leader in such projects as the Folk/Tassignon Quartet and the electronic-duo "Charlotte and Mr. Stone". She has also been heard performing the works of French composer Stephane Furic-Leibovici and lends her unique voice and electronics combination to many theatre productions around Berlin and abroad. Van Huffel, an active performer in many International Jazz scenes, can be heard in multiple musical settings such as his own Quartet (which released the critically acclaimed "Like the Rusted Key" on Fresh Sound/New Talent Records in February 2010), and the Berlin-based Rock/Free-Jazz trio GORILLA MASK. He has released four CD's as a leader and two as a collaborator to date; and performs frequently all across the globe in a variety of settings. “HOUSE OF MIRRORS” has plans for many upcoming performances and tours around Europe, and will be recording their debut CD this spring at the Loft Studios in Cologne, Germany.
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Peter Van Huffel Quartet
Peter Van Huffel - alto saxophone
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Together, these four musicians perform Van Huffel’s complex and moving compositions with an energy that never seems to end. In 2010 alone, this group has performed numerous concerts in seven different European countries, plus a complete cross Canada tour including performances at many of Canada’s top Jazz Festivals; and their new release “Like the Rusted Key” (Fresh Sound New Talent) has been receiving rave reviews world wide. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this stellar group live in concert! For music samples and videos: http://www.reverbnation.com/petervanhuffelquartet |
| Special Projects |
Glückspiel
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Glückspiel is a game piece created by Peter Van Huffel for his "Carte Blanche" Series at Cafe Tasso in Berlin. It is essentially a card game for six improvising musicians, involving a deck of 30 cards (of which five are dealt to each "player" during each piece) and a specific set of "conductor" cards and rules to be followed during play. In each piece a different musician acts as dealer/conductor and will help to lead the improvisation with a series of cue cards which are used to cue the beginning, development and ending of the piece. The cards held by each individual musician can also be used to lead the piece in multiple directions and may be played at any given moment to give instructions to their fellow musicians. NOTE: The piece is largely based on the game piece COBRA by John Zorn, although most of the concepts and "tools" used in the piece differ largely from Zorn's work. Personnel: This piece will often be performed by different musicians, but was first premiered using the following musicians - Peter Van Huffel (saxophones), Sophie Tassignon (voice), Simon Vincent (Live Electronics), Lothar Ohlmeier (clarinets), Matthias Mueller (trombone), Dave Bennett (guitar) |
Carte Blanche Series
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The "Carte Blanche" Series at Cafe Tasso in Berlin's Friedrichshain region is an intermittent series run by Peter Van Huffel, and features Peter in a variety of different groups, musicians, and musical concepts at each performance. Started in March, 2010, the "Carte Blanche" series has featured Peter in an improvised duo setting with the great Berlin saxophonist Frank Paul Schubert, in trio with Sophie Tassignon and Julie Sassoon, in co-leadership with Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser, and was also the home to the premiere of Peter's game piece Glückspiel. The "Carte Blanche" Series runs approximately every six weeks to two months and will continue well into 2012 and hopefully beyond. Upcoming "Carte Blanche" performances are to include a special night of improvised music featuring the GORILLA MASK trio with special invitees, and a repeat performance of Glückspiel. Cafe Tasso is located at Frankfurter Allee 11 in Berlin-Friedrichshain. For more information, please visit www.cafe-tasso.de. |
