 Back to the roots – in many ways. The Benjamin Schaefer Trio had their highly praised debut in the series "Jazz thing Next Generation" in 2004. In the meantime, they released two albums at the renowned label "Enja". While the trio was expanded to a septet in part on the last CD, the latest album concentrates again on a traditional piano-trio. And it is again being released on the Double Moon Records label. In the eight years since their initial CD, the trio has developed continually further with unchanged members, to which their numerous concerts also played a part. The compositions have become considerably more refined without losing any of the clarity of their style or even the melody line – not an easy challenge! Regardless of whether in the ballads, which almost put you in a trance, or the up-tempo pieces, the trio tells stories, which every listener can understand, because they are formulated simply and powerfully at the same time. This can only work if the three musicians agree on a language, something that applies without restrictions to this group. Benjamin Schaefer (born in 1981) has become one of the leading jazz pianists in Germany in the meantime. This has also been proven by the numerous awards of the past years, from the Audience Prize at the "Concours du Jazz Européen“ in Avignon to last year's "Cologne Sponsorship Prize". As so many born in the same year as he, he apprenticed in the school of the German Jazz Orchestra, with which he also toured outside of Europe. His studies under John Taylor, Hans Lüdemann and Chick Corea, among others, left lasting impressions on Schaefer, who studied classical piano until he was 17. Today, however, his playing is emancipated from those role models and has its very own individual complexion. Robert Landfermann ( born in 1982) is probably the bassist most in demand in Germany (and not only there) of his generation. He can be heard on three dozen CDs soon. Regardless of with "Shreefpunk", Pablo Held, Frederik Köster or the Dane Lars Möller, his great variety of playing and his virtuosity, his stylistic assurance and his feeling for rhythm, his fantastic intonation as well as his friendly nature are always more than welcome. Marcus Rieck (born in 1977) learned his craft under Keith Copeland at one time – certainly an outstanding reference. His co-musicians quickly realized how very musical and – yes! – melodic his drumming is. As a result, he was a regular member in the Steve Klinks Trio for several years, but Marc Brenken, Lars Duppler and others did not and do not want to do without his collaboration anymore.
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