MICHAEL ARBENZ, piano
THOMAS LÄHNS, double bass
FLORIAN ARBENZ, drums
(with the support of Pro Helvetie and Suisa Foundation)
VEIN
There certainly is no special need any more to mention the fact that today most jazz piano trios are deeply attached to musical interplay (even though this fact is worth to never be taken for granted!).
And yet, even with the most subtle, most distinguished form of interplay there is always one in the trio who plays the part of the primus inter pares– the pianist, of course (usually and by definition leader of the group).
That’s exactly where pianist Michael Arbenz, drummer Florian Arbenz and bassist Thomas Lähns come up with their own idea of musical interplay. In fact, what they aim to achieve with their music – thei understandingof music – is nothing less than the greatest possible balance of their three voices – starting with the way they work out their own compositions and arrangements, and going right through to the soloistic parts, fully assigned to all three of them.
The result is a stupendous musical togetherness, packed with surprising melodic, rhythmic and dynamic turns, played with highest precision even in the most complex, distorted and twisted passages of their compositions, arrangements and solos.
Nice work, get it! Incredibly creative piano trio. – (Rolling Stone, 10/2011)
Vein…, one of the most enthusiastic and interesting piano trios in recent years… I must confess I am an official Vein fan. Since their debut, this trio has become as important to me as Esbjörn Svensson!!! – (Ben Williams, Concerto, 10/11)
I have rarely heard jazz musicians of the younger generation play with such passion and drive!… very highly recommended! – (Wolfgang Giese, Rocktimes, 10/2012)
This music is some of the finest that jazz connoisseurs have heard in a long time. – (…-die Redaktion, 9/2012)
Vein is an exciting trio with whom I enjoy playing, offering some very challenging music. – (Dave Liebman, 2011)
Vein, a piano trio with a difference. These guys can play together (like on “Funky Monkey”) at a new level of straight-eight interaction… They don’t really sound like anybody, but do proceed (way) out of the Evans-Bley tradition. Anybody who wants something truly new in the piano trio format would do well to hear this one. – (Grego Edwards, Cadence, NYC, 2. 2010)