Chamber-music slithering with life
A group of modernists performing music on the edge of contemporary and jazz in a classical instrumented chamber music setting.
“Freshta” is dedicated to Afghan women’s rights activist Freshta Kohistani. The album blends the worlds of classical chamber music and jazz, connecting European polyphony and instrumentation with the dynamic energy of jazz. It serves as a creative platform for the improvisations and compositions of flautist Mark Lotz.
“Freshta” moves between delicate whispers and powerful walls of sound, with a group of European modernists adding emotional depth to the intricate compositions.
Claudio Puntin
clarinets, electronics
Jeroen van Vliet
piano, fx
Jörg Brinkmann
cello, fx
Dirk-Peter Kölsch
drums
Mark Alban Lotz
flutes, Indian Bansuri, fx
Salt Peanuts (Norway)
“Captivating emotional power, beauty and elegance.”
Jazzflits (The Netherlands)
“A musical pamphlet that makes you think.”
On The Music
“I wanted the album “Freshta” to be filled with emotions, articulating and bearing witness to relevant matters. It’s a journey from the viewpoint of a European world citizen, showcasing the distinct voices and creativity of my new ensemble. With my background in modern classical music, I’ve always been drawn to chamber-style sounds, and this project allowed me to explore that, blending it with contemporary textures.
The album came to life through a composition assignment commissioned by the Federation of Dutch Jazz Festivals (VNNJJ), supported by BUMA. I dedicated it to Freshta Kohistani, an Afghan women’s rights activist who was killed on December 24th, 2020. Each track is inspired by a different female activist, many from Afghanistan, and aims to capture a unique atmosphere. The goal was to create music that breaks boundaries while serving as a tribute to these female activists, with each composition echoing their energy and actions.
Working with some of Europe’s top jazz musicians brought a whole new level of depth to the compositions. The production quality of “Freshta” had to be exceptional, allowing every instrument to shine while maintaining a cohesive sound. This was only possible withy the synergy between these musicians and friends. I want listeners to feel like they’re stepping into a world of sound that blends jazz and world music elements with modern sensibilities”
Continuing to go strong in new music, beauty, creativity, and new settings we recorded the album Freshta in a new lineup in May 2022. It features many new compositions commissioned by the Dutch Author rights company BUMA/Stemra and the VNJJ. It is released by ZenneZ/Berthold records December 1oth, 2023.
Mark Lotz ‘Freshta’ Ensemble (former Lotz Of Music) has released 8 CDs on German, Dutch, Belgian, and American labels.
Lotz Of Music special projects
Toured Europe and Cuba.
Lotz Of Music is price winner and collaborated a.o. with Don Byron, Claudio Puntin, Sandip Bhattacharya (India), Miguel ‘Anga Diaz & Amelia Pedroso (Cuba), theater director Eric De Vroedt (Pendant La Nuit).
Jazzbuzz (Greece)
“Deeply human approach, beautiful compositions with elegances like “Frouzan” and strong playing in another very good album by the flutist.”
Salt Peanuts (Norway)
“All the pieces refer to women activists {cut} and evoke their inspiring spirits and their complex stories with captivating emotional power, beauty and elegance.”
Jazz (Portugal)
“This moulds who I am today. It’s impossible to exclude parts of my identity. Even so, the common thread is jazz. Human and social music in improvisation.”
JazzHalo (Belgium)
“A penetrating and equally distressing and serene musical tribute by the Mark Lotz top ensemble.”
Valon Kuvia (Finland)
“Impressive example of music that crosses borders.”
All About Jazz (USA)
“Chamber-music aspect with a basic danceability.”
His Voice (Czech Republic)
„This album is totally decadent!“
HIS Voice (Czech Republic)
“Surprising new view on the format of free improvisation. Exciting blend.”
Moors Magazine (The Netherlands)
“Bloody tight music on the edge.”
All About Jazz (USA)
“What Lotz and his colleagues have going for them is a fundamental lyricism.”
Spinning Now, Nine Radio, Tom Swift (Canada)
“Incredibly tight quintet.”
Draai Om Je Oren (The Netherlands)
“Five free spirits in an exciting collaboration. Surprising, urgent, visionary.”
Volkskrant (The Netherlands)
“Mark Lotz Meets Don Byron in Lotz Of Music: ‘Flautist Mark Alban Lotz who gave the most impressive concert.”
Draaiomjeoren (The Netherlands)
“Lotz en Freeman impress at the SJU Jazz Festival. The band (Lotz Of Music) played an enormous subtle fascinating set.”
Stuttgarter Zeitung (Germany)
“This is the time of discoveries in Jazz.”
Draaiomjeoren (The Netherlands)
“Limits simply do not exist here.”
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mark2020-01-15 10:45:022021-05-03 13:51:00Lotz Of Music @ Beauforthuis
Raised in Thailand, Uganda, and Germany my appetite for musical adventures takes me all over the globe, exploring and redefining divergent traditions. This spans an arc of collaborations with not only jazz but also world music, theater, performance art, visual arts, film, and dance. Always on the lookout for vibrant collaborations with unique voices in music, far from conventional, hitting the essence and celebrating life.
I deliver a sound, giving my instrument dimension and depth and I love to casually shatter any stereotypes around the flute. My solo recitals in contemporary music, interpretations of Afro-Cuban religious folklore, West African Fula music, and Turkish free improvised music especially gained much international acclaim. Subject of numerous international publications, prize-winner, nominated for the Edison and Beyond Magazine prize. As leader I have released 20 CD’s on German, Swiss, Dutch, Turkish, French and US labels. As soloist I am featured on 73 CD releases.
Obsessed by music I use my voice to reach a world beyond. I surrender completely to artistic expression.
with the Chris Potter tentett, David Tronzo, Don Byron, conga legend Miguel ‘Anga’ Diaz, soloists of the Conjunto Folklorico National de Cuba, Indian Underground star Najma Akthar, the Nightingale of Tibet Namghal Lhamo, electronic music pioneer Bob Ostertag, Moldavian violist Anatol Steffanet, Romanian accordion phenomenon Petar Ralchev, Johannes Bauer, Jason Robinson, legendary NYC salsa icon Eddy Martinez, Frank Gratkowski, Carlos Zingaro, Thomas Strønen, RnB star Leon Ware, Ustad Chhote Rahimat Khan or the wet dogs from Istanbul ‘Islak Köpek‘.
But also Dutch artists like Theo Lovendie, Jesse van Ruller, Michael Moore, Han Bennink, Giovanna or Ernst Reijseger.
Please read the full bio here.
Press
Jazz (USA)
“Mark Alban Lotz – a German-Dutch genius and flute master.”
Jazz Da Gama (Canada)
“The prince of darkness.”
All About Jazz (USA)
“Mark Alban Lotz is bringing sexy back into jazz.”
JazzAndMo (Belgium)
”Almost monomaniacally driven musician.”
CultureJazz (France)
“This is a musician who makes no compromises.”
Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (Germany)
“The word of the ‚new worlds of sound’ usually picked up in the context of contemporary music is quite worn out, but with Lotz it is entitled.”
Claudio Puntin merges his traditions in a natural and spontaneous way in a very personal musical language. He combines his clarinet playing with electronic enhancements, preparations and alternate playing techniques. Considered one of the world’s leading creative soloists on all clarinets. Worked together with artists such as Max Loderbauer, Jan Bang, Skuli Sverrisson, Steve Reich, Fred Frith, Sidsel Endresen, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Hermeto Pascoal, Ensemble Modern, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne, Holland Symphonia, etc. His compositional output includes works for symphony orchestras, chamber music ensembles, choirs, electronics, solo instruments, big bands, settings of radio plays, films, theater and other art forms. Claudio set music for works of Anselm Kiefer, books by Daniel Kehlmann, Orhan Pamuk and recorded for ECM, Arjunamusic, 1.61records, Dt. Grammophon lit., a.o.
Exciting soloist who expands the possibilities of the cello into cello-free areas. His work with orchestra’s, chamber ensembles and jazz/pop bands brought him all over Europe, Africa, China and Russia.
All About Jazz says: creates a multifaceted stylistic approach, comfortably assuming the roll of bassist with the kind of groove that would be unexpected from a classically trained cellist, were it not for his extensive, genre-rich résumé. Represents the viewpoint that the jazz tradition is but one aspect of contemporary improvised music. Worked with a.o. Michiel Braam, ZAPP String4, Herb Robertson, Ngyuen Le, Claudio Puntin, Markus Stockhausen, Eric Vloeimans.
Jeroen Van Vliet is the fresh 2014 Boy Edgar prize winner and most sought after piano players in Holland. His tasteful playing is documented on a lot of Cd’s as sideman and leader.
Jeroen performed with many musicians, both Dutch and foreign, like Eric van der Westen, Bob Malach, Han Bennink, Kenny Wheeler, Eric Vloeimans, Michael Moore, Willem van Manen, Theo Jörgensmann, John Zorn, Norma Winstone, Charly Mariano etc.
Van Vliet also composed works for choreographer Hans Tuerlings (Raz), pieces for small ensembles and for short animated films. Toured through a variety of countries in Europe, Africa, USA and Asia.
German drummer with an impressive expression and experience worked with a huge cast of artists all over the globe. To name a few: Lenine, Matthew Herbert, Herb Robertson, Ernst Reijseger, Quartetto Pazzo, Peter Brötzmann, Jasper van‘t Hof, Eric Vloeimans, Martin Fondse, Meret Becker, Underkarl, Xu Fengxia, etc.
Les Baudoins Meet Lotz/Purves