David Binney & Louis Cole & Pera Krstajic

A modern jazz trio bringing together three distinctive voices from today’s music scene. Here, Louis Cole joins forces with saxophonist and composer David Binney and bassist Pera Krstajic. The result is a project that combines contemporary jazz improvisation with strong rhythmic drive, a modern sound and an energy that reaches far beyond the boundaries of traditional jazz.

Cole is one of the most distinctive musicians of his generation. A Grammy Award winner, he has made a name for himself not only as an exceptional drummer, but also as a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist with a truly unique musical language. He often cites Tony Williams as a major influence, while also drawing inspiration from artists such as Flying Lotus. He likewise admires Nate Wood for his ability to move effortlessly between instruments – hardly a coincidence, considering that Cole himself is equally adept on drums, keyboards, guitar and bass, and feels just as at home in a bedroom recording studio as on a concert stage.

Stories of his work ethic have become legendary, and one thing is beyond doubt: music is simply his life. His career path is remarkable in that he built his audience without the backing of major media outlets or extensive label campaigns. Before his international breakthrough, he had already released six entirely self-written, self-produced albums, gradually shaping the distinctive artistic voice for which he is now known. He gained worldwide attention through his original work as well as the Grammy-nominated album Quality Over Opinion. Today, he enjoys cult status not only among bedroom producers but also among drummers, who are inspired by his ultra-precise style shaped in part by electronic music and video game soundtracks.

As both musician and producer, Cole’s résumé spans an astonishing range of genres – from the avant-pop world of KNOWER through jazz-fusion collaborations with bassist Thundercat, pianist Brad Mehldau and, indeed, David Binney, to his own experimental musical universes. He is the very definition of a modern musician: someone who does not complain about the shortcomings of the music industry, but instead takes matters into his own hands and finds every possible way to bring his music directly to listeners.

David Binney is one of the most important voices in modern jazz composition of the past several decades. Over the course of his career, he has released more than thirty albums as a leader and has appeared on hundreds of recordings as both a studio and touring musician. His collaborators include artists as diverse as Gil Evans, Norah Jones, Chris Potter, Aretha Franklin, Jamiroquai and Maceo Parker. He also played a significant role on David Bowie’s critically acclaimed final studio album Blackstar. The magazine JazzTimes has described him as one of the musicians who helped shape the alternative jazz scene of recent decades.

The trio’s third member is bassist Pera Krstajic, who provides a strong rhythmic and harmonic foundation while bridging Binney’s compositional vision and Cole’s seemingly endless energy. It is precisely the contrast between these three personalities that gives Action Trio its unique character.
The trio’s repertoire combines improvisational structures with modern production, strong melodies and an open-minded approach to contemporary music. Their JazzFestBrno performance will offer a meeting with truly contemporary instrumental music in the hands of three exceptionally creative and technically accomplished musicians.