De Beren Gieren

Providing robust evidence that gold can still be mined from the classic union of piano, bas & drums, already since 2009.
Fulco Ottervanger (piano, synths, fx) | Lieven Van Pée (double bass, el. bass) | Simon Segers (drums, fx)
In the space between expectation and surprise you will findDe Beren Gieren. This Ghent based electro-accoustic trio, founded in 2009, is without any doubt part of the top of the Belgian jazz scene.
‘Less Is Endless’, their latest album (september 2021, Sdban Ultra), is an ode to a universe teeming with life. It searches for vents through which life can emerge and evolve. The secret of communicating creativity can be found in the cultivation of the unfinished. The missing piece of the puzzle tickles the imagination more than the perfect end result.
The album features energetic sing-alongs alongside minimal tracks. An open approach in composing and playing resulted in less formal material and intuitive choices, giving the music space and excitement. The album was produced by Dijf Sanders and Frederik Segers: their creative additions to theclose interplay of the trio ensure an accessible and innovative album that sounds like no other.
From 2010 to 2015 De Beren Gieren resided in art center Vooruit (Ghent). Their international breakthrough came with their second album ‘A Raveling’ (2013). The following year, a live recording with Portuguese trumpet player Susana Santos Silva was released as 'The Detour Fish’ (2014) on record label CleanFeed and was critically praised worldwide.
In 2015 the third trio album ‘One Mirrors Many’ was awarded as “most influential & accurate album of the year” by the magazine Jazzism (NL) and marked the beginning of their electronic quest, finding its maturity in ‘Dug Out Skyscrapers’ (2017), released on Belgian label Sdban Ultra. It won the Klara Radio Award for ‘Best Jazz Album Of The Year’.
They toured Europe and Japan to spread their overwhelming live energy. In 2019, the band celebrated its 10th birthday and released a limited edition ‘Broensgebuzze EP’ on Sdban. The accompanying tour took place in churches; acoustic live concerts with an astonishing visual and sonic atmosphere.
The trio is known for its unique energetic sound, sparkling melodies, complex structures andquirky song titles. They bring a blend of polyrhythmic soundscapes, sing-alongs and elitist twists, showing an ability to change mood in a way that constantly holds one’s attention. A live experience not to be missed; that"s certainly what brought the trio to collaborate with internationally renowned Jazz artists as Louis Sclavis, Ernst Reijseger, Joachim Badenhorst, Marc Ribot, Jan Klare and Jean-Yves Evrard.
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Press
“Ce disque inclassable et expérimental plaira surtout à ceux qui prennent plaisir à se laisser emporter par la fantaisie d’un trio aventureux.”
Jazz News (FR)
"Zoals altijd begint ook Less Is Endless met aanzetten op piano, waarna het trio vrijelijk losgaat op soms kleine muzikale thema's. (...) elders hoor je exotica-elementen en een impressionistisch basstrijkje. (...) tot besluit van een aangenaam afwisselend jazzavontuur." ⭑⭑⭑⭑
De Volkskrant (NL)
"Be it the tense hypnotic precision of A Funny Discovery or the title track's downbeat cinematic lurch, keys maestro Fulco Ottervanger keeps his keen melodic acuity in close check". ⭑⭑⭑⭑
MOJO (UK)
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