We are happy that Howard Mandel, president of the Jazz Journalists Association was willing to write the liner notes for our new album "Rocket In The Pocket" to be released on November 26, 2012 - CD release party in Hamburg, Germany on November 30, 2012:

“The Hammer Klavier Trio is jazz as it lives and breathes today. Three bright musicians use acoustic and electric instruments in a fun and unfussy concoction of classical jazz and contemporary rhythms that feels right for this moment. Their quirky and earnest melodies, sharp rhythms and hipster attitudes acknowledge with appreciation jazz’s recent and older past, but are inspired not fettered by it. In fact, it frees them. So HKT keyboardist Boris Netsvetaev adds an edgy touch of electronics on “Hysterioso,” his variant of Thelonius Monk’s “Mysterioso,” for no other reason than because it brings a smile, and the groove cut by bassist Philipp Steen and drummer Kai Bussenius is in step with how people move.

And the rest of Rocket in the Pocket demonstrates equal confidence, though after the lyrical, impressionism à la Bill E vans feel of “A Sketch in Dark Colours” you don’t expect the dirty Fender Rhodes distortion effect Boris employs in his solo on “Suicide Train.” Or Philipp’s lead bass part on “Tekla,” with Boris’ haunting backdrop of a voicing. Or the free-time episode at the center of “Plan B,” followed by chordal figurations reminiscent of a Herbie Nichols composition. But you accept it all, since these three clearly know what they’re doing, and it’s exciting.

Those are two reasons why the Hammer Klavier Trio has made many a strong impression and won an ever-broadening fan base since forming at the Hamburg University of Music and Theater in 2002, where its members first met at a concert of the Joe Lovano-Bill Frisell-Paul Motian trio. The genuine originality of St. Petersburg-born Netsvetaev’s compositions and arrangements, and the sensitive flexibility by which Steen and Bussenius make the music their own are two more. The intriguing drama and engaging playfulness heard throughout this album, though, are the main things. No other explanation is necessary to enjoy this music than hearing “Rocket in the Pocket,” the album’s title track. It shows off what HKT weaves together and how. A backbeat as funky as any in-crowd needs, a motor goosing Boris’ elegantly precise and unerringly decisive piano line, Steen and Bussenius synchronizing their parts into an irresistible rhythm. Happy surprise! You can dance to it!

Good music wins out: the path from the release of HKT’s 2008 recording debut Now I Know Who Shot J. F. K. to the issue of Rocket in the Pocket has been marked by positive steps. These include the trio’s Überjazz festival set, a clip of which can be seen on Youtube. The Jazz Journalists Association nominated the video for a 2011 Jazz Award, and digging the music too, featured HKT at its annual Jazz Awards gala at City Winery that June. The trio developed the opportunity to perform before the jazz media elite into an NYC mini-tour that reached NYC’s hard-core aficionados, with gigs at Small’s, Miles Café, the Garage, Puppet’s in Brooklyn and the German General Consulate. HKT was welcomed everywhere. “When’s your next recording?” people asked. Here it is, Rocket in the Pocket. Launch and soar."

Howard Mandel, president, Jazz Journalists Association
www.artsjournal.com/jazzbeyondjazz

On 15th June we completed our successful seven-day tour in New York, USA. We arrived in Newark, New Jersey on Wednesday 8th June and played five live shows in Manhattan.

We like to thank all fans that came out to the live shows in NYC and of course also everyone who saw us live online at the Jazz Journalists Association Awards Gala and Smalls Jazz Club. We had a great time in NYC also because of you!

The tour has been made possible by the kind support of Dr. E. A. Langner-Stiftung, Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S. and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg – Ministry of Culture and Media "to represent the current dynamism in German jazz," as said by Howard Mandel, president of the Jazz Journalists Association. The trio-pianist Boris Netsvetaev, bassist Philip Steen, drummer Kai-Bussenius in return participated in the dynamism of the New York jazz scene by playing in NYC's jam sessions. Furthermore, performances took place with New York musicians such as trumpet player Kenyatta Beasley, Assistant Professor of arrangement, composition and jazz trumpet at the Ohio State University and Ayako Shirasaki, multiple finalist in the large U.S. jazz piano competitions.

The trio which is added to the wild young vanguard of the German jazz trios began its tour with the Concert for Japan, an appearance in front of the packed auditorium of the German Consulate General New York, held in collaboration with the Japanese Consulate General. "The Art of Solidarity: Musicians from Germany and Japan honor the victims of the earthquake in Japan. Excellent performance of the Hammer Klavier Trio." - press release after the event by the German Consulate General.

The concert at Miles Cafe next day has been attended by journalists and photographers. The organizers liked the performance a lot and invited the trio again for its next visit to New York. Please also read the review of the gig at allaboutjazz.com