Jazz at JAKI: Karolina Strassmayer & Drori Mondlak - KLARO!

Freescapes - CD Release

KLARO! combines the lyricism of European classical music and folklore with the rhythmic power of American jazz and the harmonic sophistication of contemporary music. The musical arc spans from powerful, lively grooves to poetic ballads and explosive swing. No matter in which genre the musicians of KLARO! move, their music is always full of passion, curiosity and lust for life.

Readers of the American jazz magazine Downbeat have repeatedly voted the exceptional musician Karolina Strassmayerm among the five best alto saxophonists worldwide. She gained an excellent reputation in the New York jazz scene and has been the first woman in the multi-Grammy-winning WDR Big Band Cologne since 2004.

Doug Ramsey writes, "one of the most interesting alto saxophonists of her generation, Strassmayer has absorbed, internalized and personalized what John Coltrane gave to jazz and often evokes him purely on the power of her tone and inflection."

Drori Mondlak is one of the preeminent jazz drummers and bandleaders. His eclectic work over more than twenty years in New York has brought Mondlak together with jazz greats such as Frank Foster, Joe Williams, Chris Potter and Ernestine Anderson. Mondlak has also arrived on the European jazz scene, playing with Lee Konitz, Sonny Fortune, Barbara Dennerlein, David Friedman, Lynne Arriale and Nicolas Simion.

"A drummer of extreme subtlety and melodic refinement that reminds me of Roy Haynes in his best moments." - Arnaldo Desouterio .

Internationally respected as a dynamic and flexible improviser, the vibraphonist
Stefan Bauer moves fluidly between mainstream and avant-garde. His sometimes rhythmic, sometimes lyrical playing has already earned him several awards, including a nomination for the Canadian JUNO Award. The spark for the collaboration with KLARO! came during a guest performance with the WDR Big Band.

Austrian-born Hans Glawischnig is one of the most sought-after bassists on the New York scene. Jazz greats like Chick Corea, Paquito D'Rivera or Billy Hart love his powerful playing and since fall 2018 Glawischnig is a member of the HR Big Band.

Freescapes reflects the live performances of the quartet KLARO! where the musicians interweave group improvisations and composed pieces while remaining dedicated to lyricism, melody and the creation of beauty.