KLOMP

Lucas van Merwijk | drums & Abel Marcel | keys 

Drummer Lucas van Merwijk saw the groundbreaking duo Misha Mengelberg / Han Bennink perform many times in the early 80s. The idea of forming such a duo in which you have unlimited freedom as a drummer never disappeared from his mind. Van Merwijk initiated countless projects in various compositions in the field of Cuban music, global groove, jazz and improvised music. Now In 2020, Lucas finally finds the ideal musical duo partner in pianist Abel Marcel; rooted in the Cuban tradition with an urge for musical freedom, improvisation and experiment. A completely new, self-willed and brilliant musical adventure is the result.

PROGRAMMERS ATTENTION! This project will play at the festivals and jazz clubs throughout 2020.

Abel Marcel | keys 
Abel Marcel is one of the most versatile Cuban musicians of his generation and is active as a pianist, composer, arranger, producer, band leader and teacher. Abel can be heard on various albums ranging from hip hop to salsa and from jazz to classical but sees himself primarily as an improviser. His classical piano training, combined with the unique musical Cuban heritage, result in a special musical dichotomy. Abel Marcel is a charismatic figure on stage, who inspires his fellow musicians with his dynamic playing and improvising approach to music, an approach full of raw emotional power and humor.

Lucas van Merwijk | drums 
Drummer Lucas van Merwijk has been at the forefront of the European Jazz, Latin and percussion scene for over 25 years. He was elected 'Best Jazz Drummer' and 'Best Fusion Drummer' in the Benelux countries by the readers of dutch drum magazine De Slagwerkkrant many years running between 1993 and 2019.

After an intensive study of Afro-Cuban drums with drummer Oscarito Valdes (Irakere) in Cuba in the early eighties, Lucas van Merwijk has been active with a variety of projects. At the moment Lucas is the initiator and producer of numerous ensembles: the world-percussion group Drums United, Van Merwijks Music Machine (with a changing line-up every year) and the 20 piece salsa and Latin Jazz ensemble The Cubop City Big Band. All of these experiences have made him develop his own special style, a mix of Cuban, Brazilian and North American rhythms, characterized by powerful percussion and splendid technical skills. 

Van Merwijk has been staff teacher for drums and percussion at the Jazz department of the Amsterdam Conservatory since 1986. In 2010 Lucas wins the Global Act Award 2010, for remaining continuously successful as a leading international Artist in world music over a long period of time. In 2013 he publishes his drum book World Beat, World Rhythms for Drum Set, followed by Advanced Coordination Studies (2017)

www.lucasvanmerwijk.com
www.lucasvanmerwijk.com/artists/klomp/36/biography/