About Akku Quintet
"Pasquinelli’s writing contains an almost cinematic dimension that encompasses bittersweet moods and moments of unfolding drama." Sid Smith, excerpt from the liner notes for Akku Quintet's album AEON "...the quintet comes across as a well-oiled machine full of maturity and articulation." Bea Venturini for Swissvibes.org. Read the full Review of Akku Quintet's show at Cully jazz Festival 2016. |
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LINE UP
Manuel Pasquinelli - Drums, Compositions, Concept Michael Gilsenan - Sax Maja Nydegger - Keys Markus Ischer - Guitar Andi Schnellmann - Bass @Concerts: Jonas Fehr - Live Visuals About AKKU Quintet Akku Quintet are based in Berne (Switzerland), from where they dispense a minimalistic jazz groove to great effect. Drummer Manuel Pasquinelli, who is also responsible for the compositions, founded the band in 2010. The first AKKU Quintet-concert took place in 2011. Since then the band has released four studio-albums and is touring regularly in Switzerland and abroad. Albums Live (2022, 7dMedia) Depart (2019, 7dMedia) Aeon (2017, Morpheus Records) Molecules (2015, Morpheus Records) Stages Of Sleep (2013, Morpheus Records) Pressetext Deutsch Sphärisch – atmosphärisch. Komplex und federleicht rollt, gleitet, hüpft und tanzt ihre Musik durch die Takte, schwingt sich auf in luftige Höhen und gleitet nieder in erdige Sphären, wo sie mit rollenden Bässen und messerscharfen Beats Anlauf für den nächsten Wachtraum nimmt. Die Band um den Schlagzeuger Manuel Pasquinelli vereint Elemente aus Jazz, Minimal Music und Rock/Pop zu einem eigenständigen Bandsound. Auf der aktuellen Tour präsentiert das Quintett viertes drittes Album "Depart". Musik zum Eintauchen mit Live-Visuals. |
Sid Smith about AKKU Quintet (excerpts from AEON liner notes)
Formed in 2010, the line-up of Pasquinelli, Michael Gilsenan (Tenor saxophone), Markus Ischer (Guitar), Maja Nydegger (Piano, Keyboards) and Andi Schnellmann (Bass) 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. Sid Smith, Mai 2017 |