Antonis Anissegos: WAKE UP AND DREAM!

Christian Weidner - Saxophone; Antonis Anissegos - Piano; Chris Dahlgren - Bass; John Schröder - Drums

Unheard-of, fascinating soundscapes

The new CD "wake up and dream!" by contemporary composer and jazz pianist Antonis Anissegos is a very personal recording. The pieces are colorful, direct, energetic, but also emotional and melodic, and as usual, rhythmically exciting, multi-layered, and always original.

The sequence of the tracks follows the basic principle of alternation and contrast: the odd tracks consist of rhythmically exciting, energetic, and adventurous compositions that tell a story. The even tracks are melodic dream islands that allow for a breath of fresh air and emotionally touch. The new Amoebas CD thus inspires a completely new and deep listening experience.

The skilled and original musicians of "amoebas" are particularly known for their creativity and personal expressiveness. Their music is in the tradition of jazz, which is broadly understood as an urban engagement with the musical heritage of spiritual and secular music forms from living traditions around the world. The band was formed in 2001 and consists of a collective of musicians who perform in variable lineups, from trios to larger ensembles.

Antonis Anissegos, from Thessaloniki (*1970), received his piano diploma at the age of 21 in Greece and continued to study composition and piano (with John Taylor) at the universities of Budapest, Vienna, and Cologne. He has been active as a pianist and composer for more than 15 years in many cities in Europe. His music has often been awarded (including 1st prize at the composition competition of the Neukölln Opera Berlin, Cultural Senate of the City of Berlin), and his works have been performed by renowned musicians, ensembles (including Ensemble Modern, Piandemonium), and orchestras. Concerts, projects, and recordings have brought him together with Thomas Alkier, Frank Gratkowski, Iven Hausmann, Kalle Kalima, Maurice de Martin, Ed Schuller, and others.