Fugara

Paul van Kemenade · alto sax, Markus Stockhausen · trp, flhrn, Stevko Busch · piano, Markku Ounaskari · drums

The debut during Pianolab Festival 2011 grew into a successful project.

“Stevko Busch – Fugara ****
We have known for years that Stevko Busch is an extraordinary pianist. The musician, originally from Germany but residing in the Netherlands for many years, has shown his inspired playing in so many interesting projects that he can be called one of the most important names in Dutch jazz.

Whether it is the quiet majesty of Busch or the exuberance of van Kemenade, their playing impresses and fascinates. Nothing predictable is typical of these men. The same can be said about the superbly playing Markus Stockhausen (trumpet, flügelhorn) and Markku Ounaskari (drums) who accompany them on Fugara.”
Editor, Witten in Music

“… There’s a lot about Fugara that could make it an appropriate act for ECM; whether or not that happens with the quartet’s subsequent work, its sublime set at DJ&WM 2012 suggested plenty of potential yet to be tapped.”
John Kelman, All About Jazz

“Fugara created impressive depth and shimmering magic in a short half hour. Class and potential of this new quartet manifested impressively.”
Henning Bolte, Written in Music

“For those who are familiar with the duet album CONTEMPLATION (DNL2010) by Busch and van Kemenade, this album to a large extent seems to be a development of that project of two years ago. Busch’s unique compositions in Contemplation, written based on Orthodox spiritual music appear again in Fugara. Only this time they will sound different! Performed by the quartet, they shine with new colours. All four musicians here have played excellently, … in particular  Ounaskari, who has shown himself a worthy successor to the tradition of quiet drummer Edward Vesala, the best-known representative of Finland’s avant-garde jazz.
…you simply must add to your collection this new, profound and multi-faceted work.”
Leonid Auskern, Nestor (Belarus)

“The album ‘Fugara’ is a monumental record. All four musicians sign up for that qualification: Stevko Busch through his regal conception of playing; Paul van Kemenade through his poignant lyricism; Markus Stockhausen through his playing that is drenched in beauty and extensive improvisational technique and the Finn Markku Ounaskari through his both rhythmic and melodic approach to percussion.”
Rinus van der Heijden, Jazzenzo