Benny and his trio played for us on their way to Christchurch last year.  They're on their way back again...

Superbly modernistic piano trio music…
     Mark Bolam, Enlightened Planet, Australia

US/German pianist Benny Lackner brings his trio on a whirlwind Asia Tour. Lackner has a unique compositional voice and arranging style which blends jazz, electronica and acoustic sounds into a modernistic feel. 

"The Trio’s raw creative energy and brute force is directed by Lackner's musical sophistication and imposing technical facility”   Thomas Conrad, JAZZTIMES

Lackner, who studied under the direction of Charlie Haden and mentor, Brad Mehldau has a reputation for interesting re-interpretations of jazz and modern songs - from the electronics-tinged version of Charles Mingus’s “Moanin’”, to Bowie, Prince’s “Sign Of The Times”, and the critically acclaimed ‘Sugar Man’.

The Trio was founded in New York City in 2002 and they have shared the stage with John Scofield at the Traumzeit Jazz Festival, headlined at jazz clubs such as the Blue Note, Joe’s Pub and Smalls in NYC, played to packed houses at the Sunset in Paris, the Augsburger Jazzsommer, and toured the U.S.A., Germany, France, South Africa, Austria, Turkey, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Eastern Europe.

Benny Lackner - piano
Bruno Schorpe - - bass
Matthieu Chazarenc – drum set

www.bennylackner.com

Beautifully expressive jazz lines in a modern, groove oriented sound.

Benny Lackner - Piano and effects
Matthieu Chazarenc - drums
Paul Kleber - bass and effects.

About Benny : bennylackner.com

Born in Berlin, lived half of his life in New York
Studied under Charlie Haden and Brad Mehldau
Played at North Sea Jazz, Montreaux, and Monterey
He's launching his 5th trio album, Sisikiyou
The album was recorded at Jazzanova in Berlin, released by Unit Records, Switzerland
The below-the-equator album launch is 17 dates in Malaysia, Indonesia, NZ, and Australia.  Only one in Sydney.

Benny Lackner has a distinctive compositional voice that sounds lucid and fresh. He's found a cool way to write for this trio.
-Brad Mehldau

Lackner may be the first established pianist to come from the Mehldau school. With a  contemporary approach, he helps give the piano trio a much-needed facelift.
-John Kelman, AllAboutJazz.com 

Lackner also uses Fender Rhodes and a variety of other keyboards to texturize his work
Lackner also shares a penchant for simple melodies that, while singable, are sometimes a little oddly askew also, something he no doubt learned from his time studying with Brad Mehldau.
-John Kelman, All About Jazz