Underkarl (Jazz Band)

Born: 1993 - Germany

Underkarl, founded by bass player Sebastian Gramss from Cologne in 1993, are hotly tipped as one of the foremost upcoming European jazz bands. Its five members are each highly respected soloists and instrumentalists in their own right. Together they have played more than 300 concerts and have performed at international festivals all over Europe, their music continually pushing the boundaries of contemporary music, rock, jazz and improvised music. The spectrum of activities pursued by the bassist Sebastian Gramss extends from very individual versions of jazz standards in 20^th Century Jazz Cover, through film and radio play music, to his equally idiosyncratic vision of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (BWV 988). This talent for exploration together with their long history of working together has earned them an enviable reputation as a fantastic live instrumental band.

The outstanding soloists that make up the band include Sebastian Gramss on bass, Lömsch Lehmann on tenor saxophone, Nils Wogram on trombone (who caused a sensation at the first German Jazz Meeting two years ago), Frank Wingold on guitar), and Dirk Peter Kölsch on drums) the trombone player Nils Wogram.

Underkarl's latest program "Goldberg" is merging classical roots with a jazz approach in a unique interpretation of J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations (BWV 988). This program was released on CD "Goldberg" (Enja) with renowned producer Jean Szymczak in late 2007. First, in the 1999, Underkarl recorded excerpts of the Goldberg Variations for their third album "Marathon". And now, they have adapted and interpreted the complete series of the "Aria" and its 30 variations.

Source: Mostly Underkarl Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (August 2009)

Sebastian Gramss: Short Biography | Underkarl | Recordings of Instrumental Works

Links to other Sites

Goethe-Institut German Jazz Meeting - Band Portraits 2008

Underkarl (Official Website)