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Biography

When the most free and recognizable bass-clarinet player in Europe today teams up with the most unclassifiable and talented drummer from the Luxembourgish scene, what kind of music do you think they will produce?

Michel Pilz

Probably one of the most recognizable jazz musicians in Europe today, tall and lanky Michel Pilz and his long bass-clarinet are a popular club and concert feature.

Considered early on as a successor to the great Eric Dolphy, Michel has dedicated his career exclusively to the mastery of this extraordinary woodwind.

He was born in Germany (Bad Neustadt/Saale), and grew up in Luxembourg, where he studied classical clarinet at the conservatory. He then opted for a career in jazz playing the larger instrument, first joining the Manfred Schoof Quintet in 1968 (with Alex von Schlippenbach, Buschi Niebergall and Mani Neumeier).

In the 1970's, Michel toured in the Near East, Asia and South America with the quintet, the "German All Stars," the "Globe Unity Orchestra," and, in Japan, with trumpeter Itaru Oki. Over the years, he has performed at numerous international jazz festivals, including Montreux, Bombay, Tokyo, Frankfurt and Chateau-Vallon. In October, 1999, his trio represented Germany at the European Jazz Festival in Damascus. 

Michel has produced several recordings, including, most recently, "Jamabiko" (MP 841) and "Melu-Sina" (Drops CD 16). His next CD, to be entitled "Arbor," will be out in early 2001. Today, Michel resides again in Luxembourg, where he teaches and plays local engagements. He also travels frequently for appearances in Germany, France, and elsewhere in Europe. He plays primarily with the Michel Pilz Trio, including Christian Ramond on bass and Klaus Kugel on drums. Itaru Oki often joins the group to form the Pilz-Oki Quartet for selected dates.

The potential of music as a means of enhancing international understanding became clear to Michel with his first overseas experiences. He has consistently attempted to include local musicians in his international appearances, believing the promotion of such relationships to be a critical element in the musician's art.

Benoit Martiny 

Benoit Martiny was born on the 3rd of october 1980 in Luxembourg. Quite soon after that, Benoit's interest for music was born too.At the age of 2, Benoit made a comittment to an instrument of great force: The Drums. After that, nothing could stop Martiny from playing: any musical creature that came creeping along was beaten up by Martiny's sticks, especially as he made his first musical statements in a metal band. 

After a few years of brutal but sophisticated hammering, Benoit saw that any good music was brutal and sophisticated. For this reason he turned to jazz music. A few years of lovely jazz "education" at the Conservatory of Rotterdam followed, including lessons and workshops with forceful people, such as Hans van Oosterhout, Jimmy Cobb, Ari Hoenig, John Taylor, Kris Goessens and Adam Nussbaum. 

Benoit concluded his musical studies by spending some time in the USA, playing and studying in places like New Orleans, Dallas and New York.  Since then Benoit formed his own band, the Benoit Martiny Band and played in many great bands like: the Sascha Ley Band (Luxembourg), Neco Novellas (Mozambique), Mdungu (The Netherlands), Laki Latino (Hungary). He also played a concert with Randy Brecker in Hungary and in World Squad with Oghene Kologbo, former guitar player of the great Fela Kuti from Nigeria. 

Music brought him to different countries, like: India, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, U.S.A., Serbia, Holland, Belgium, France...