Schlippenbach Trio

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Schlippenbach Trio is a European free jazz group around the German pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach. Playing with him are the saxophonist Evan Parker and the percussionist Paul Lovens. Their best-known early record is Pakistani Pomade, recorded in 1972 in Germany for the label FMP. The record contains pieces such as Moonbeef and Ein Husten für Karl Valentin, which were written by all three musicians together. There is thus no leader who devises the music: the three improvise and compose together.

Music and breakthrough

The trio's music revolves around colour, texture and density, in both sound and harmony. Reviewers praised the record for the taste and the elegance of a group that gave free improvisation in Europe a face of its own. The Penguin Guide to Jazz gave Pakistani Pomade a Crown, a distinction for recordings for which the authors have a special admiration.

Influence

The trio stayed together for decades and later made many more recordings, such as Elf Bagatellen in 1991, Gold Is Where You Find It in 2008 and Features in 2015. It is a good example of European improvised music, which in the 1970s broke away from the American model.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1973Pakistani Pomade
• 1991Elf Bagatellen
• 2008Gold Is Where You Find It
• 2015Features