freeTENORS  “ a musical adventure from three countries

Harry Sokal–Saxophone
Bernhard Wiesinger – Saxophone Ondrej Štverácek – Saxophone Tomáš Baroš – Bass Marián Ševcík – Drums

three CHARACTERS  ⎜  three COUNTRIES  ⎜  one ADVENTURE.

freeTENORS takes you on a musical adventure with phenomenal musicians from three countries — Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia. Harry Sokal — the founder of the band — is one of Europe’s greatest saxophonists. With the idea of forming a band of three saxophones, Sokal began collaborating with Ondřej Štveráček and Bernhard Wiesinger, two young colleagues from the Czech and Austrian jazz scene. 
This ensemble embodies musicians who are searching for a fresh, unconventional, unprecedented approach to the standard jazz form. After the opening of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Harry Sokal was one of the first in Austria to seek like-minded musicians in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. With Tomáš Baroš on double-bass and Marián Ševčík on drums, he found the best in their craft and musicianship. They create one of the most remarkable jazz rhythm sections, intensifying the freeTENORS’ colourful, thrilling sound and musical cohesiveness.
The virtuosity and musical skill of these world class musicians inspire their audience to reach greater heights of perceptive listening and to explore a deeper love of jazz.

Harry Sokal numbers amongst the most important post-Coltrane saxophonists in Europe. He has worked together with an A-Z of leading jazz artists in Europe and the States, from Art Blakey to Joe Zawinul. His major roles as a founding member of the Vienna Art Orchestra as well as a member of the legendary Art Farmer Quintet make him one of the most important ambassadors of jazz from Austria. He has initiated and led a host of projects around the globe with the jazz elite, in particular his own projects Depart, Full Circle, Roots Ahead, Voice of Time, Stories and freeTenors. His remarkable sound on the saxophone can been heard on more than 500 albums worldwide.  In 2005 Harry Sokal was honored as Musician of the Year with the Hans Koller Prize, and in 2011 with the Prize for Attainment in Music of the Lower Austrian State. Harry Sokal’s masterful playing is distinguished not just by its virtuosity, but by its lyrical tone and stylistically clear lines, which relate  to the character of each number he plays. Theses are the qualities that make him his country's outstanding soloist.

Bernhard Wiesinger, Postgraduate study at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music Boston/USA 2005/06. Master degree in saxophone at the Konservatorium Wien Privatunversität in 2008. Since 2006 docent at the International Jazzworkshop at the Poysdorf Jazz & Wine Summer. Leader of his own jazzband B-Double-U Organ Quartett. With Geri Schuller initiator of the world music project Miss Moravia (www.missmoravia.com). Credits: Joris Dudli Sextett, Fritz Pauer, Don Menza, John DiMartino, Christian Havel, Juraj Bartos, Simone Kopmajer, Marianne Mendt, Richard Österreicher, Pete McGuinness, and many more.

Ondrej Štverácek, The extraordinarily gifted tenor saxophonist Ondřej Štveráček enjoys freedom of jazz with a similar exhilaration as the remaining up-and-coming Czech musicians. He has been a regular member of Gustav Brom Big Band for many years now, has collaborated with the most outstanding young musicians from both the Czech and Slovak Republics as well as with artists from abroad (Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Liebman, George Mraz, Dennis Rowland, Douglas Sides, Poogie Bell, Kalman Olah, Matuš Jakabčic, Juraj Bartos, Oskar Rozsa, Milan Svoboda, Marti Valihora and many others...). Apart from activities as a sideman, he focuses primarily on his own concept of playing the saxophone, undoubtedly inspired by the jazz tradition.

Tomas Baros, was born on 31 August 1985 in Teplice. He belongs to the youngest and most talented contrabass players at the music scene. Coming from musical family, his father, Julius Baros, a well-noted trumpetist, has been his music inspiration. He has been teaching him since his early age. He has been performing at the Prague jazz scene since 14, always with the best jazz musicians of the Czech Republic. He studied classical double bass at the Prague Conservatory in the class of professor Kvetoslav Borovicka and Petr Ries. In 2004, he recieved the Berklee College of Music in Boston scholarship. As a performer, he has played with stars like Alex Sipiagin,  Benito Gonzales,Roberta Gambarini,Piotr Wojtasik,New York voices, John Betsch,Deborah Davis,  Adam Pieroncik,Igor Buttman,Benny Golson,Rick Margitza, and many more.

Marián Ševcík, is one of the most influential Slovakian drummers of his generation. His performing and recordings credentials feature participation in premier European Jazz ensembles, both small group and big band as well as collaborations on folk music projects with well known Slovakian artist Ida Kelarova and her band Jazz Famelija. Marian studied percussion at the Zilina Conservatory of Music and Bratislava Conservatory of Music respectively (both Slovakia) before continuing his professional career. In 2008 he received the “Jazzman of the Year” awarded by the Music Fund of Slovakia. He cooperated with great musicians over the years including Piotr Baron, Boris Kozlov, ,Benito Gonzalez, Joel Frahm, Steve Haines, Roby Lakatos, George Mraz,Alex Sipiagin, Donny McCaslin, Matus Jakabcic Big Band, Ondrej Krajnak Trio, Lubos Srámek Five Reasons, ariska-Carniaux Sextet, and Pavel Wlosok, and many more.

Reviews:

..Harry Sokal is a happening.... (Harald Justin, JazzZeit)

….However, I could not even imagine that these three guys could form a band with just a bass and drums and yet sound so entertaining (VS Brno Jazzfest) 

...Following in the footsteps of John Coltrane, a well-rounded player, as ecstatic as he is thoughtful and in full command of jazz technique, including the most modern.” (Ges.d. Musikfreunde)

Bernhard Wiesinger... "...more than an insiders´ tip."

"I love Ondrej´s sound and his purpose behind the sound!"
Jerry Bergonzi

"...great horn control and flawless technique."
Jazzfest Brno

"Marian is one of the most influential Slovakian drummers of his generation." (Western Carolina University)

I have known Harry Sokal, Bernhard Wiesinger and Ondřej Štveráček from many bands, musical projects and meetings. I have also known they all sound great. However, I could not even imagine that these three guys could form a band with just a bass and drums and yet sound so entertaining. Sure, three horns in the front is nothing new, we all know Tenor Summit with Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano and David Liebman and other groups of this kind. But this band has something different to offer. Nothing like your traditional tenor battle - just a smartly arranged and in a total unity executed stream of music which carries artistic qualities, some great craft and a lot of fun. I hope this band never runs out of creative ideas!

 (Vilem Spilka Brno Jazzfest)