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ABOUT
Recognized as a great visionary force in Swiss adventurous jazz, Swiss drummer Manuel Pasquinelli’s AKKU Quintet have been consistently pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted sonic territories since their conception in 2010. Their hypnotic 5th studio album continues this saga of exploration, designed for the repeat button and powerful speakers. ‘KINEMA’ features a combination of intricate compositions and extended passages of daring tension-fueled improvisation. Each track builds on the last, leading the listener deeper and deeper into the enchanting and benevolently dark world of the ensemble. Inspired by minimalist jazz with a post-punk touch, the group has been stylistically compared to the likes of King Crimson, Nik Bӓrtsch’s Ronin, Nils Frahm and Steve Reich. Pasquinelli’s compositions celebrate the pleasure of repetition, skillfully weaving complex metric ideas with cyclical rhythmic cells reminiscent of electronic music. Since their first live performance in 2011, AKKU Quintet has been praised for their multifaceted and artfully crafted music. They have won the Bern Music Prize, been nominated for the ZKB Jazz Prize, and have performed over 100 concerts around the world including in Germany, England, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, the USA, Canada and Russia. IN THE WORDS OF SID SMITH: "Formed in 2010, Manuel Pasquinellis AKKU Quinet avoids any obvious soloing. Instead they move through their tunes in a highly disciplined, tight formation which fans of SONAR and the work of zen-funk pioneer, Zurich-based pianist, Nik Bärtsch, will recongise and respect. Pasquinelli’s writing contains an almost cinematic dimension that encompasses bittersweet moods and moments of unfolding drama.Between the mesmeric ostinato, subtly shifting grooves, resonant overtones, tingling harmonics and languorous, yearning melodies, Akku Quintet hover somewhere between smouldering, jazz-infused intimacy, expansive post-rock vistas and an insistent minimalist intensity. The group connect and lock together yet remain constantly in motion, maintaining a balletic poise and grace that skilfully builds and adds line upon line of long, sonorous notes. Though each one on its own might be gossamer-thin, when combined, they create something strong and enduring, something substantial and memorable. Regardless of all the compositional concepts which underpin Pasquinelli’s music and the work of the band, perhaps the most important thing is that the songs each tell their own stories and conjure their own pictures moods in which the listener can immerse themselves without the need to analyze or overthink what’s going on. A haunting soundtrack that’s brimming with evocative cadences and meditative spaces, Aeon presents a sonic pool of calm from within which we can reflect upon and make sense of the turbulent world around us." ALBUMS Kinema (2023, Morpheus Records) Live (2022, 7dMedia) Depart (2019, 7dMedia) Aeon (2017, Morpheus Records) Molecules (2015, Morpheus Records) Stages Of Sleep (2013, Morpheus Records) |
Manuel Pasquinelli - Drums, Compositions
Michael Gilsenan - Sax Maja Nydegger - Keys Markus Ischer - Guitar Andi Schnellmann - Bass at concerts: Jonas Fehr - Live Visuals 
SHORT BIO, DE (English below)
Das Schweizer AKKU Quintet spielt pulsierenden, treibenden Minimal Jazz mit Postpunk-Einschlag. Obwohl Repetition eine wichtige Rolle spielt, ist die Musik von Schlagzeuger und Komponist Manuel Pasquinelli farbig und lebendig. Die atmosphärischen Live-Auftritte der Band zeichnen sich aus durch traumwandlerische musikalische Reisen. Bei ihren Live-Shows bilden Visuals das optische Pendent zur Musik. So kreieren AKKU Quintet ein Universum, das einen die Aussenwelt für einen Moment vergessen lässt. Seit rund 10 Jahren ist die Band in sehr konstanter Besetzung als Teil der jungen Schweizer Jazzszene unterwegs. Sie spielten Konzerte und Tourneen in der Schweiz, England, Deutschland, Frankreich, Österreich, sowie in den USA, Kanada und Russland. AKKU Quintet hat bis heute fünf Alben veröffentlicht und wurde 2020 mit dem Kantonalen Berner Musikpreis ausgezeichnet. SHORT BIO, EN
The Swiss AKKU Quintet plays pulsating, driving minimal jazz with a post-punk twist. Although repetition plays an important role, drummer and composer Manuel Pasquinelli's music is colorful and lively. The band's atmospheric live performances are characterized by somnambulistic musical journeys. In their live shows, they use visuals as an optical counterpart to the music. Thus AKKU Quintet create a universe that makes you forget the outside world for a moment. For around 10 years the band has been on the road in a very constant line-up as part of the young Swiss jazz scene. They played concerts and tours in Switzerland, England, Germany, France, Austria, as well as in the USA, Canada and Russia. AKKU Quintet has released five albums to date and was awarded the Cantonal Bern Music Prize in 2020. |