Press Release :
In the current hype involving young German jazz pianists an exclamation mark should be added to Christian Doepke's name.

Lyricism and groove should not be contradictory. The same applies to pace, depth and gracefulness, let alone swing and intelligence. In addition, the compositions of the Amsterdam-based pianist also tell wonderful stories, which really dots the i's.

Doepke, a romantic at heart like Bill Evans - who gets a beautiful tribute with Bill's Mood - as well as a realist in the tradition of Horace Silver, has developed his own signature on the 88 keys with a clear touch and a sovereign technique, that clearly distinguishes him from the German jazz pianist masses.

You'll see someone buckled down to a concert grand, who is equally familiar with sunlit open spaces in a forest and the liveliness of a metropolis, witness "Heaven Knows" and Looking For Trouble".

(Dr. Tobias Böcker, English translation by Emiel Wienholts)

Biographies :

Christian Doepke (piano) :
Since 2006 the Munich-born pianist resides in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where his versatility gained him an excellent reputation as a sideman in a variety of projects.

Doepke has performed in many television and radio shows in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Turkey. As a sideman he can be heard on numerous CD recordings. In addition, he has worked as a pianist and arranger for several television, movie and theatre productions.

As a composer and bandleader Doepke now shows a very strong and personal side, which he plans to use to further establish his career.

His compositions are a blend of lyrical, expressionist colors, jazz elements and powerful grooves, conforming into a homo-genous and independent sound which amalgamates the European and American music culture.

In a review of one of Doepke's solo recordings, German music magazine "Piano" wrote: "Christian Doepke beguiles with a delicate and peaceful sense of melody."

Doepke has played with Rick Margitza, Rhiannon, Sheila Jordan, Deborah J. Carter, William Gallison, Claudio Roditi, Horacio Hernandez, Johannes Enders, Henning Sieverts, Jenny Evans a.o.

Rick Margitza (tenor sax) :
Born in Detroit, Michigan, he started his international career with Miles Davis, with whom he toured Europe in 1988. Concurrently, has released ten albums as a bandleader and composer. Together with his band he was a featured artist at festivals and clubs worldwide. He has performed and/or recorded with Maynard Ferguson, Eddie Gomez, Tony Williams, Bobby Hutcherson, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Maria Schneider, McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea a.o.

Christian Diener (bass) :
has played with Billy Cobham, Wolfgang Haffner, Diane Schuur, Pee Wee Ellis, Albert Mangelsdorf, John Ruocco and Klaus Doldinger a.o.

Guido May (drums) :
has played with Pee Wee Ellis, Diana Krall, Jay Ashby, Bob Berg, Bobby Shew, Antonio Farao, Peter o'Mara and Roman Schwaller a.o.