Peedu Kass Momentum (Estonia) & The Toby Wren Trio
Peedu Kass Momentum is a piano trio led by the Estonian bassist Peedu Kass. The style of this ensemble is contemporary piano trio music, with adventurous rhythms, a clear sound and a dashing stage performance. Peedu is a sought-after sideman and a prolific musician in the European jazz scene. His tours have taken him to some of the most important venues in the world. Seamus Blake, Django Bates, Tony Allen, Antonio Hart, Hayden Powell - these are just a few artists that he has worked with. The pianist of the group is the brilliant Kristjan Randalu, the ambassador of Estonian jazz in the western hemisphere. A member of the oudist Dhafer Youssef’s band, he also performs with jazz giants like Ben Monder, Ari Hoenig, Nguyen Le and Nils Petter Molvaer. Kristjan brings plenty of sparkling virtuosity and rhythmic intensity to the group. Drummer Toomas Rull is the keystone of Estonian jazz drumming. A sensitive listener and a prolific songwriter, who knows how to richen any group’s sound. His extensive sidemancareer has taken him to recordings of more than 100 albums. Momentum has performed in Canada, Germany, Russia, Hungary, Finland, Latvia and Estonia.
"Estonian bassist Peedu Kass’ Momentum ensemble served as an exciting and intricately woven remake of the piano trio format" - Josef Woodard, DOWNBEAT
"Kass demonstrated no shortage of chops...but never in anything less than service of the music, something he demonstrated even more decidedly when his trio-mates left the stage and he delivered a solo version of Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Porkpie Hat." Beyond evolving personal techniques and a clear understanding of the song, Kass evoked a visceral, bluesy feel that laid waste to any claims of American proprietary ownership." - John Kelman, AllAboutJazz.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
7:30PM to 10:00PM
QUEENSLAND MULTICULTURAL CENTRE
102 MAIN STREETKANGAROO POINT, QLD, 4169AUSTRALIA
The Toby Wren Trio
The Toby Wren Trio returns after an extended break with their most exciting and compelling release to date, Black Mountain. This new recording is notable for the depth of the compositional language: a seamless fusion of Wren’s orchestral work, his long engagement with jazz and folk blues, and his decade of study and collaboration with South Indian musicians of the Carnatic tradition. Where previous recordings were more deliberate and measured in their approach, featuring a mix of genres and styles, Black Mountain is singular in its focus and its coherence. Ranging from intricate and introspective to unbridled and uncompromising, Black Mountain is a must for all fans of contemporary Australian jazz.
Toby Wren - Electric Guitar
Andrew Shaw - Double Bass
Chris Vale - Drum Set
“Timeless and unaffected... sweet, bluesy and inscrutable.” - THE COURIER MAIL
“A full ringing tone and suppleness of melodic invention.” - LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
“Every track [on Umlaut] is a masterpiece... a significant contribution to Australian Jazz.” - JAZZ.ORG. (The National Jazz Website)
“[Wren’s] skills as a writer and jazz guitarist are to the fore here... a thrilling ride with some unexpected detours... like so many great jazz albums before, Everything Must Go was recorded in a day. With a quartet this good, who needs longer?” - Noel Mengel, THE COURIER MAIL.
