Niklas Lukassen «Still Waters» HEARTCORE RECORDS ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT Feat: Kit Downes-Ben Van Gelder-Francesco Ciniglio Still Waters surfaces a many-layered artistic voice with a distinctive musical vision. Niklas Lukassen’s highly anticipated band leader debut release on Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Heartcore Records, is a radiant display of his combined talents as a bassist, composer and also vocalist (on Luna) at 27. Niklas Lukassen’s internationally renowned quartet with saxophonist Ben van Gelder, pianist Kit Downes and drummer Francesco Ciniglio, fuses captivating individualists of the jazz scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin into one symbiotic musical organism. With natural improvisational flow, this unit’s interplay runs like water through sonic river forks into unexpected directions. Unafraid of intentional, suspenseful collision, it produces pounding waves of raw energy. Enriched by artistic contributions from guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, saxophonist Wanja Slavin & trombonist Geoffroy De Masure, they musically explore the unimagined depths that underlie supposedly still waters. Niklas Lukassen displays an equally astonishing lyrical sensibility and skilful command on the upright bass, the bass guitar and his unique bass cello. Having lived in New York for several years, he today resides between London and Berlin. Described as „a versatile bass virtuoso“ by Jazzwise magazine, Niklas continues to establish himself as a significant presence within the young European jazz scene. Moreover, his sound and artistic vision radiate a striking band leader potential. Niklas ventured from an inconspicuous village somewhere in the South German Black Forest out into a life of creative opportunity through his personal musical journey. Aged 16, he moved to Berlin to cut his teeth in the capital’s music scene and attended the Jazz Institute. A formative part of his career lies in New York. Mentored by Ron Carter, he received his Masters Degree from Manhattan School of Music on a full scholarship. Currently pursuing a doctoral degree and teaching at the Royal Academy of Music in London, he researches ways of broadening his scope of sounds on a range of string bass instruments. Immersed in contrasting musical worlds, Niklas has accompanied performances with artists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joe Lovano, Mike Stern, Jorge Rossy, Norma Winstone, Oz Noy, Jo Lawry, Will Vinson & The New York Voices. Among the records he played on is the Grammy Award Nominated album Some Days Are Better by the Kenny Wheeler Legacy Project. Niklas expands beyond his position as a bass player and composer through his singing voice. Notably, he sang in the German National Jazz Orchestra. Niklas’s internationally renowned quartet with saxophonist Ben van Gelder, pianist Kit Downes and drummer Francesco Ciniglio, fuses captivating individualists of the jazz scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin into one symbiotic musical organism. Together with guests such as Kurt Rosenwinkel on his Heartcore Records debut release Still Waters, they musically explore unimagined depths. He is also the creative mind behind the group ECHO, which paints sonic landscapes in a poignant instrumentation. In this format, Niklas embraces his penchant for lyric and songwriting, while staying true to his nature as an improviser. Furthermore, alongside pianist Gwilym Simcock and drummer James Maddren, he ventures on untrodden musical paths in his trio with himself on a unique and novel instrument: the bass cello. Niklas has toured extensively throughout Europe, the UK, North America, Asia and North Africa. Notable stages he performed on include the Lincoln Center, the Beacon Theatre, the John F. Kennedy Center and the Berlin Philharmonie. International Release Heartcore Records 20th Feb 2026

Line-Up:

Ben Van Gelder – Alto Saxophone, Flute

Kit Downes – Piano & Hammond Organ

Niklas Lukassen – Upright Bass, Fretless Bass Guitar

Francesco Ciniglio – Drums