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De Beren Gieren
Like dedicated archaeologists from the future, De Beren Gieren use subtle electronic effects to uncover the potential of their acoustic instruments layer by layer. The piano echoes further, the drums split up into even more numerous fragments and the bass reaches deeper still into its musical universe. The compositions take on a 3D-dimension in this acoustic view-master and haul the listener from recognition to renewal, from nostalgia to exaltation.
In the space between expectation and surprise you will find De Beren Gieren (The Bears Vultures), providing robust evidence that gold can still be mined from the union of piano, bass and drums. The young trio, founded in 2009, is without any doubt part of the crumbs of the Belgian jazz scene. From 2010 ‘till 2015 they were artist in residence of art center Vooruit (Ghent) and received three awards at Jazz Hoeilaart (i.a. first prize). With their second album “a raveling” (2013) the band had an international break through and “The Detour Fish” (2014), a live recording with Portuguese trumpet player Susana Santos Silva, was critically acclaimed worldwide. In 2015 the third trio album “One Mirrors Many” was released and again critically acclaimed in Belgium and far beyond. Jazzism even praised it as ‘most influential & accurate album of 2015-16’.
In September 2017 they release “Dug Out Skyscrapers” on Belgian label Sdban. More so than in previous albums, harmonies and compelling grooves interact and disclose the future of the past... which is the album’s ‘Leitmotif’.
The triad is known for their unique energetic sound, sparkling melodies, complex structures and quirky song titles. They bring a blend of polyrhythmic soundscapes, sing-alongs and elitist twists, showing an ability to change mood quite suddenly in a way that constantly holds one’s attention. A live experience not to be missed!
The band played at every national jazz stage and is known far outside Belgium. De Beren Gieren played with international magnitudes as Jan Klare, Jean-Yves Evrard, Ernst Reijseger, Joachim Badenhorst, Marc Ribot and Louis Sclavis.
Awards
Klara's Award - 2018 Best belgian jazz album - Dug Out Skyscrapers
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De Beren Gieren: One Mirrors Many
by John Sharpe
Still looking to breathe life into the venerable piano trio format, Belgian threesome De Beren Gieren (The Bears Shriek would be one translation) present their fourth album following The Detour Fish (Clean Feed, 2014), A Raveling (De Beren Records, 2013) and Wirklich Welt So (El Negocito, 2012). Leading the charge pianist Fulco Ottervanger helms an unchanged lineup comprising bassist Lieven Van Pée and drummer Simon Segers. Unsurprisingly after such consistent output, they exhibit a robust ensemble concept which avoids emphasis ...
read moreDe Beren Gieren: One Mirrors Many
by Alberto Bazzurro
Trio belga (in effetti il pianista Fulco Ottervanger, autore di tutto il materiale tematico, è un olandese trapiantato), De Beren Gieren ci appare come una delle realtà più felici nel pur battutissimo settore del piano trio. Questo che è il suo quarto CD dal 2012 (più un EP due anni prima) parte posizionandosi nei pressi di un'avanguardia di marca contemporanea," ma guadagna ben presto (a ben vedere già nel brano inaugurale) lidi più squisitamente jazzistici, e si manteene poi felicemente ...
read moreDe Beren Gieren & Susana Santos Silva: The Detour Fish - Live in Ljubljana
by Vincenzo Roggero
Discretamente informale, piacevolmente naive, dosi di humor disperso qua e là, freschezza di idee, entusiasmo giovanile, orecchio allenato, sguardo acuto. Si presenta così The Detour Fish -Live in Ljubljana terza fatica discografica del giovane trio belga De Beren Gieren qui arricchito dalla presenza dell'affermata trombettista portoghese Susana Santos Silva. L'improvvisazione minimale, struttura portante del trio guidato dal pianista Fulco Ottervanger, si incontra con il solismo altrettanto parco di Silva, per sondare zone d'ombra, battere sentieri poco frequentati, ...
read moreDe Beren Gieren & Susana Santos Silva: The Detour Fish - Live In Ljubljana
by Glenn Astarita
Youthful concepts and treatments are highlighted on this live set, where the award-winning Belgian piano trio De Beren Gieren invites burgeoning Portuguese trumpeter, improviser Susana Santos Silva to join the band for this largely captivating performance at the Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Slovenia. The musicians' collective synergy becomes apparent rather quickly. Their inventive faculties are propagated via budding, minimalist phrasings and rolling wave-like rhythmic progressions, as the free form improvisational element is a recurring process. And when considering the outside ...
read more"One of the more idiosyncratic of the current crop of ‘live’ European piano trios, De Beren Gieren have The Bad Plus’ sense of supersized dynamics to add tot heir quirkily ambient electronic effects and offbeat grooves.” Jazzwise (****)