Alexander von Schlippenbach/ Barry Altschul Quartett feat. Rudi Mahall + Joe Fonda

The first concert of the Improvisation International series in the new rooms of the exploratorium berlin features a band of superlatives: European and American jazz legends Alexander von Schlippenbach and Barry Altschul form a new quartet with bass clarinetist Rudi Mahall and double bassist Joe Fonda. The program consists of free improvisation, original compositions and special arrangements of jazz classics. The idea for another collaboration was born in 2022 after a successful performance of the trio Alexander von Schlippenbach, Barry Altschul and Joe Fonda at the FreeJazzFestival Saarbrücken.

Alexander von Schlippenbach is considered one of the founders of the European free jazz scene, the initiator and leader of the Globe Unity Orchestra with members such as Peter Brötzmann, Manfred Schoof, Jaki Liebezeit, Mani Neumeier, Toshinori Kondo, Paul Lovens and others, as well as the Schlippenbach Trio. A student of the avant-garde composer Bernd Alois Zimmermann, Schlippenbach’s works frequently refer to twelve-tone music in addition to the jazz tradition.

Barry Altschul is a New York drummer who was part of the Paul Bley Trio for many years, founded the band Circle with Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Anthony Braxton, and toured the world in countless projects with Sam Rivers and Billy Bang, among others. A complete list of his concerts, tours and recordings would be almost impossible to compile.

Rudi Mahall is one of those bass clarinettists who fearlessly breaks new ground on the instrument. He is best known for his recording of the complete works of Thelonious Monk, Monk’s Casino, with the band Die Enttäuschung and Alexander von Schlippenbach. His wit and humor, combined with a serious approach to the music, are what set him apart.

And last but not least, Joe Fonda on double bass: He is considered a busy jack-of-all-trades, who not only plays in jazz formations with Anthony Braxton, Barry Altschul, Archie Shepp or in his own formations, but also works interdisciplinarily with dance and music and collaborates with dance ensembles. He was elected bassist of the year 2023 according to New York Jazz Records.

Creative jazz on the highest level!