Hans-Peter Hiby (sax)
Reza Askari (b)
Photo by Cristina Marx
Hans Peter Hiby is a powerful and at the same time touchingly
sensitive saxophonist who, if you have heard him before, knows
that he makes no compromises.
Willi Kellers, an absolute veteran of European free jazz, is a
proven master of surprises.
In the eye of the storm is Reza Askari, the man who holds it all
together like a Shakespearean Prospero. This trio truly explores
the formal possibilities inherent in each encounter, full of mutual
sensitivity to the unique acoustic qualities that spill out into the
playing environment. Friends of contemporary jazz will get their
money's worth!
Émaille / Lonberg-Holm /Hiby
Hans-Peter Hiby (sax)
The majority of the audience at Peter Brötzmann's three-day anniversary concert to mark
his 80th birthday in August 2021 at the INSEL in the ADA were sceptical when the then
28-year-old Camille Émaille, who was completely unknown to almost everyone at the time,
sat down behind her percussion for a solo performance.
At first, the free jazz audience continued to chat happily. But after a minute no more noise
was heard - everyone stared and listened intently to the cascades of sound that Émaille
produced. But was that also possible in a band context? The next day, she simply blew the
audience away in a quartet with Hans-Peter Hiby (sax), Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello) and
Marino Pliakas (bass). The quartet's motto: fast forward. Their three players hardly allowed
themselves any breaks, pushing themselves to new heights without overloading the overall
sound. Bass and cello were in constant, increasing dialogue. Hiby's saxophone playing,
sometimes lyrical on the alto, then stormy again on the tenor, fitted in seamlessly. Now you
can see them with three quarters of this spectacular band - and for fans of The Thing or the
energetic Dave Rempis combos Kuzu and Ballister, this date is actually a must. And to all
Sonic Youth/Swans/Shellac fans: dare to try a little free jazz!
Hans Peter Hiby ts/as/ss
Foto by Paul Hiby
For a long time it was quiet around the saxophonist Hans Peter Hiby. But after his long
break he is back on stage since 2015. With his trio "Hiby-Bardon-Hession" he recorded
the highly acclaimed CD "Roots" (Nottwo Records) and played with this trio many
successful concerts in England and Germany in the years 2016 - 2019. His continuity in
the further development of his own sound earned him the hearing of Peter Brötzmann,
who then invited him to the successful and sold out duo concert in Wuppertal.
In 2017 he met the young Cologne drummer Thomas Sauerborn, with whom he played
in a trio together with Dieter Manderscheid (b). Thomas Sauerborn's way of playing, a
mixture of jazz, rock and extremely experimental drumming, aroused his interest and so
they met for the first time to talk about the foundation of a new trio and the further
musical development. Over Thomas Sauerborn the contact to Reza Askari, a very
popular and hip bass player from the younger jazz scene, was established. After several
studio sessions in 2019/20 the new trio "HIPPNA"
was formed.
The newly founded trio "HIPPNA" succeeds in developing the most complex sound
worlds from a mixture of jazz, rock and improvised music in a fluent communication of
direct ideas and sophisticated artistry. The perfect handling of musical tension and relaxation as well as flowing dynamics testify to a congenial
understanding for each other. Although the three musicians are rooted in the tradition of jazz, they are searching for their own way, which is free of
fear of contact. Not only the friends of freely improvised music get their money's worth while listening to them.
Hans Peter Hiby ts/as/ss
Foto by Antje Zeis-Loi
This trio developed from the Hiby/Hession duo, which was established in 1986, when the two musicians met in Hiby’s hometown of Wuppertal.
The duo was augmented over the years with double bassists, including Roberto Bellatalla, Marcio Mattos, Peter Kowald and Dieter Manderscheid, but it was not until 2016 that the young Irish bassist Michael Bardon joined
to form the present trio. He is the perfect foil for the two other musicians, acting as a melodic fulcrum and the resulting music is passionate and questing while balancing a full spread of
dynamics with allusions to an earlier jazz tradition. This trio takes the listener on a journey by fully exploring the formal possibilities inherent in every encounter and by being sensitive to each other and the unique
acoustic properties of every playing environment. Friends of free improvised music get their money`s worth listening to. Because the three musicians harmonize brilliantly with each other. The
swirling, complex drum figures and artful bass riffs are an excellent match for Hiby`s powerful, energetic playing.
Hiby-Manderscheid-Sauerborn Trio
Hans Peter Hiby ts/as/ss
Foto by Louisa Müller