Inducing the spark

By Henning Bolte

For pianist Stevko Busch, music comes to life in the interaction between the musicians. Having played electronic music in earlier years, his personal musical quest has led him away from large ensembles, to discover the acoustic duo as an ideal constellation for his musical development.

In both his compositional style and improvisational language as well as his place within the ensemble, Busch is a reserved player, preferring to pave the way for his fellow players, inducing them to spark and bring the music to life.

His duo with the versatile alto saxophonist Paul van Kemenade provides the basis for the music which can be heard on the album CONTEMPLATION.

Busch and Van Kemenade combine the spirituality of Abdullah Ibrahim with the passion and depth of Russian Orthodoxy and other eastern sources. It was Busch who indicated a new direction to Van Kemenade, and the saxophonist who opened up new and wider horizons.

This offers a natural connection to two other musicians, each capable of shaping the horizon in their own way, adding wonderful colours and textures to the soundscape.

Markus Stockhausen’s brilliant trumpet sound and the colourful palette of the melodic percussionist Markku Ounaskari broaden the scope of the music, adding complementary lines and layers to the weave.

For music to connect and spark, it must be grasped and understood, both by the musicians and by the audience. This quartet plays with this spirit, with influences from both east and west, well-chosen and transformed by Stevko Busch and his bandmates.

Music journalist Henning Bolte is writing for international magazines like e.g. „Jazzism“, „Jazzthetik“ or „All About Jazz“. He is programme coordinator for the Amsterdam Concertzender and on the advisory board of several cultural funds.

Markus Stockhausen

Markku Ounaskari

Paul van Kemenade

Stevko Busch

photos by:

1 - Thomas Mothes

2,3 -unknown

4 - Geert Maciejewski