The absolute debut of this formation that gathers four well known musicians from the most interesting jazz scene of the present and the last years. Essentially, a first meeting between the saxophones of Rodrigo Amado and Tony Malaby, the double bass of Michael Formanek and the drums of João Lencastre that makes us extremely happy and expectant for the event. The meeting of these four free minds in non-hierarchical collusion +.

Rodrigo Amado is a well-known figure in this house, being also one of the most important European saxophonists of today. Already with a long and praiseworthy curriculum, dating back to the late 80’s, among formations such as the Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio, Wire Quartet and countless collaborations, he has been particularly active in recent years with his quartet with Joe McPhee, Kent Kessler and Chris Corsano – watch out for ‘Let The Free Be Men’ from 2021 – his quartet Northern Liberties, The Attic with Gonçalo Almeida and Onno Govaert or the highly recommendable ‘Refraction Solo – Live at the Church of the Holy Ghost’, his first solo album released last year by Trost.

Originally from Tucson, Arizona and a very active and predominant presence in New York’s busy downtown, Tony Malaby has been tireless in his journey since settling in the city that never sleeps in 1995. Having made his own debut with ‘Sabino’ in 2000, he has amassed countless collaborations and formations with such esteemed people as William Parker, Angelica Sanchez, Paul Dunmall or Trevor Dunn, polishing a language based on post-bop but free of any self-imposed ties to spread out between the fiery free improvisation or the containment of the most cerebral jazz with equal spirit, will and lexicon.

Another great, Michael Formanek crosses paths with Tony Malaby in his Elusion Quartet and the Tony Malaby/Joey Sellers Quartet, both being also closely linked to the music of Angelica Sanchez and Tim Berne. Hailing from San Francisco, the double bassist trod very early on, during the 70s and 80s, alongside legends such as Tony Williams, Stan Getz or Freddie Hubbard, a path which is still full of vitality today, In his formations such as the quartet he keeps with Tim Berne, Craig Taborn or Gerald Cleaver – with work in ECM – or the Michael Formanek Drome Trio and as an integral and fundamental part of the Mingus Big Band, Mary Halvorson’s Code Girl, Susan Alcorn Quintet or the Uri Caine Ensemble.

For more than two decades João Lencastre has been one of the most sought-after drummers in the city. With a versatility rarely seen, he has equal mastery in the meanders of the more classical jazz, in the more daring free improvisation, in electronics and in pop. While it is inevitable to highlight all his work as leader of the Communion Ensemble, he has collaborated with practically everyone of interest in Portuguese jazz – Sara Serpa, João Paulo Esteves da Silva or Carlos Barreto – and renowned foreigners such as David Binney, Bill Carrothers or Noah Preminger. BS