Recently, Paul Lovens, a renowned figure in European free jazz drumming, has been noticeably absent from the scene. Health issues, including problems with his knees, back, and hands, led him to step away from live performances a few years ago. To honor Lovens on his 75th birthday this June, Hans Martin Müller, the visionary behind the Loft in Cologne, sought a fitting tribute. Müller, who first met Lovens in Aachen during the 1970s and later invited him to play at the Loft, organized a special concert for the occasion.
Müller coordinated a group of musicians who had previously performed with Lovens, except for Michael Vatcher, to celebrate his legacy. In his introduction, Müller emphasized, “Paul Lovens never led his own band, but he enhanced every ensemble he joined.” The tribute featured Frank Gratkowski (alto saxophone and bass clarinet), Tobias Delius (saxophone and clarinet), Florian Stoffner (guitar), Philip Zoubek (piano), Wilbert De Joode (bass), and Michael Vatcher (drums and percussion). Rather than performing as a sextet, they were divided into two trios.
The first trio, comprising Zoubek, Gratkowski, and Vatcher, delivered a compelling 20-minute performance. Their set, characterized by a chamber music approach, shifted between meditative passages—particularly notable with Gratkowski’s bass clarinet—and more intense, old-school free jazz segments. The trio employed extended techniques, including Zoubek’s prepared piano, Vatcher’s singing saw, and Gratkowski occasionally using a glass of water with his saxophone.
The second set featured Delius, De Joode, and Stoffner. This trio, while also focused on improvisational contrasts, leaned more towards melodic exploration. Delius’s swinging solos and De Joode’s gentle support, combined with Stoffner’s Derek Bailey-influenced guitar playing, created a dynamic performance. The trio reached its peak during moments of accelerated play, with Delius’s passionate saxophone, De Joode’s rhythmic bass, and Stoffner’s cascading harmonics evoking the spirit of the iconic British Incus label.
For those eager to experience Paul Lovens’s presence again, there is another opportunity. On September 8 at 6 p.m., Sebi Tramontana (trombone) and Florian Stoffner (guitar) will perform at the Musikbunker in Aachen, with Lovens also in attendance.
