THOMAS QUASTHOFF QUARTET | FOR YOU!

Thomas Quasthoff | vocals
Simon Oslender | keys
Dieter Ilg | double bass
Wolfgang Haffner | drums

„Quasthoff possesses a feeling for rhythm and line that would do honour to any jazz pro!” | Der Standard

When Thomas Quasthoff performs his new programme FOR YOU, he is one thing above all else – absolutely authentic. Quasthoff has an unerring instinct for the appropriate style of whatever he is singing. This applies to opera arias, art and folk songs just as much as jazz, pop and soul. He has long proven that he – a classical singer by training, with an incredibly versatile bass-baritone – has also mastered genres rooted in the Afro-American tradition. Thus, all the qualities one admires in Quasthoff as a recitalist also become the golden rule for everything else: “He places his personality firmly at the service of music and text. His aim is to exclude anything artificial, reaching his
listeners through veracity,” to quote one critic. How the bass-baritone lives up to his goal of truly touching people with his voice is evidenced by audience reactions and accolades from the press, documenting the fascination and enthusiasm this exceptional voice continues to arouse in his listeners. Now he would like to give something back to the audience which has kept its faith in him all these years – hence FOR YOU!

He is joined by three excellent jazz musicians: Dieter Ilg is the doyen of German jazz bass players. His electrifying vitality, intelligent curiosity, technical brilliance and total passion at every moment stand out. Wolfgang Haffner is Germany’s best-known drummer – looking back upon an unparalleled career which extends far beyond jazz. Haffner possesses an airy lightness while keeping his playing dense and compact – he swings and rocks in a breath-taking manner. Even when he gives his all, he maintains an immense delicacy, always keeping an ear on his colleagues’ every note. Simon Oslender is the youngest member of the band – having made his debut on the scene as a “child prodigy on the Hammond organ”, the 23-year-old Simon Oslender is considered one of the rising stars of the German music scene on piano, organ and keyboards.

Representation:
Helga Machreich-Unterzaucher
Managing Director
+43 (0)5 06 80-012
machreich@machreich-artists.com