Nico Brandenburg Quartett

Nico Brandenburg is one of the most influential musicians on the NRW jazz scene. In his new project, the bassist showcases his instrument in all its diversity: as a rhythm provider, as a melody instrument and for creating soundscapes. Brandenburg’s compositions combine elements of jazz and world music and impress with clear melodies, complex harmonies and a captivating groove. The asphalt concert on the Seebühne will be the debut of Brandenburg’s new formation, whose unusual line-up is particularly intriguing: in a quartet with Klaus Gesing (bass clarinet, saxophone), Stefan Bauer (vibraphone, marimba) and Antoine Duijkers (percussion, drums), Brandenburg plays not only double bass but also electric bass and African guembri bass. The four musicians place particular emphasis on improvisation and interaction, so the audience can look forward to a powerful and captivating concert!

Nico Brandenburg is from Düsseldorf and studied Electric Bass at the Arnhem University of the Arts and Double Bass at the Folkwang University in Essen. His artistic works include collaborations with the WDR Big Band, the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra, the WDR Funkhausorchester and the flamenco artist Rafael Cortés. He has toured with Adam Nussbaum, Tom Gaebel, Max Mutzke and Ute Lemper, is a member of the JE:D – Jazz-Ensemble Düsseldorf and is involved in various projects with pianist Sebastian Gahler. He has been a lecturer for Electric and Double Bass and Ensemble at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf since 2010 and Artistic Director of the Jazz-Schmiede Düsseldorf since 2012.

Klaus Gesing plays bass clarinet and soprano saxophone and is also a composer, arranger and teacher. His projects range from solo performances to chamber music ensembles and arrangements of his original compositions for Big Band.

Stefan Bauer is active as a vibraphone and marimba player in genres ranging from tradition to avant-garde. He has been performing at concerts and festivals for decades and is part of the jazz scenes in Germany, Canada and his long-time home in Brooklyn, NY.

Dutchman Antoine Duijkers studied Jazz and Pop Percussion at the Arnhem University of the Arts and the Cologne University of Music and Dance. The Cologne-based drummer has made a name for himself far beyond the Cologne jazz scene and has a particular penchant for free improvisation and African music. He has travelled to Ghana and Senegal, where he studied traditional Ghanaian Kpanlogo music with Mustapha Tettey Addy and traditional Sabar music with Doudou Ndiaye Rose.

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