David Hazeltine Trio

Pianist David Hazeltine is an absolute top star on the New York scene. He began his professional career at the age of 13 in the Chicago area

As the house pianist at the Jazz Gallery in Milwaukee, he had the opportunity to accompany guest jazz musicians such as Sonny Stitt, Pepper Adams, Charles McPherson, Al Cohn, Lou Donaldson, Eddie Harris and Chet Baker. The latter convinced him to come to New York for the first time in 1981, and in 1992 he moved to the Big Apple for good. Over the next few years, he worked with Curtis Fuller, Junior Cook, Jon Hendricks, Louis Hayes, Peter Washington, Joe Locke, Jon Faddis, James Moody, Jim Snidero, John Swana and the hard bop sextet One for All.

Xaver Hellmeier is now one of the most sought-after drummers of his generation in Europe, combining the influences of Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, Billy Higgins, Art Taylor & Louis Hayes, among others, to create his own sound, which the press has described as "exceptionally interesting" (Barbara Heigl, Südostnews) and "a discovery" (Markus Reitinger, Merkur). He is known above all for his tasteful accompaniment and immense wealth of ideas, which is appreciated by listeners and colleagues alike.

Line-up: David Hazeltine (p/comp); Paolo Benedettini (b); Xaver Hellmeier (dr)