Depart “refire“ a cultism powerhouse trio

Saxophonist Harry Sokal and double-bass player Heiri Känzig have been the driving force behind the group Depart for a number of years already. Now, with their latest project “refire”, they've set off on fresh adventures towards other shores.

As in the case of Depart, once again they brought the young and powerful rising star on the drums, Martin Valihora, onboard. Together they've embarked on a challenging musical expedition which promises to bring in a new era.
The fire is blazing stronger than ever….
BIOS : 

Harry Sokal, Born in 1954 Harry Sokal is surely numbered among the most important "post Coltrane" saxophonists in Europe. In addition to his collaboration with a great number of major European and American jazz musicians such as being member of the Vienna Art Orchestra since 1977, member of the Art Farmer Quintet from 1978 till 1999, further with Art Blakey, Dave Holland, Terje Rypdal, Daniel Humair, Michel Portal, Mike Richmond, Minu Cinelu, Friedrich Gulda, Idris Muhammad, Joe Zawinul, Harry Pepl, Jene Jackson, Andy Mc Kee among others, he initiates and conducts numerous projects with national and international musicians and of course his own projects (as a leader): Rave the Jazz, Full Circle, Roots Ahead, Voices of Time the power Trio “Depart” the almost classical Duo “Stories” and latest the Organ Trio „Groove“. 2005 Harry Sokal received the “Hans Koller Award” in the category „Musician of the Year“ and 2010 the acknowledgment Award of Lower Austria State. Harry Sokal’s masterful playing stands out due to his virtuosity on the instrument and, moreover, to his lyrical tone and stylistically clear lines which always maintain close connection to the character of each piece, all qualities which make him of him anoutstanding musicians of his country
Heiri Känzig
Heiri Känzig, Born in New York, bassist Heiri Känzig has been a long-term player in the international scene. Already at age 23, he accompanied the great bebop trumpeter Art Farmer and since has played with innumerable illustrious colleagues in Europe and the USA.
Känzig, who studied in Graz, Vienna and Zurich, has long ranked among Europe's best bassists. He is a virtuoso technician whose sound and comes to the fore in the widest range of contexts ... from jazz and improvisation to World Music. He has received international acclaim as the long-standing bassist of the Vienna Art Orchestra, with which he has played since 1978. In high demand as a freelancer, he has played on over 130 CDs (Blue Note, Verve, Enja...).
He has regularly toured worldwide with a variety of musicians and, most notably, has played with such musicians as John Scofield, Pierre Favre, , Charlie Mariano, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Cobham,  Billy Hart, Didier Lockwood Betty Carter, Daniel Humair, Gary Thomas, George Gruntz, Franco Ambrosetti and Richard Galliano. He undertook projects with Charlie Mariano and Paul Mccandless, Kenny Wheeler before joining up as bassist with the Thierry Lang Trio, with whom he recorded six CDs forthe Blue Note label. Most recently, he has gained major recognition with his world music project"Tien Shan Schweiz Express", which blends musical elements from Central Asia, Mongolia and Switzerland.

Martin Valihora is at the forefront of a new generation of drummers bringing jazz into the 21st century.
Based on the foundation of his virtuosic but highly personal approach to jazz drumming, Martin’s aesthetic has expanded to include hip hop, funk, new Orleans rhythms, rock and ambient soundscapes.
He  studied at the Conservatory of Music in Bratislava, Slovakia and finally graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Living in New York he has been working  with Don Grusin,Hiromi , Anthony Jackson, Nathan East, Bob James, Lee Ritenour, John Beasley, Reuben Rogers, Chris Cheek, Tony Grey,  Greg Hopkins and recorded over 50CD’s for major labels like BMG,Polygram, Universal.
As a member of Hiromi’s sonicbloom he travelled all over the world and participated at all major jazz festivals.

REVIEWS:

“When it comes to the communication between Sokal’s distinctive soprano and tenor sax and the polyrhythmic bass drum, you can only speak in superlatives ... With Depart, you can be sure that full stress is put on the melodic sides of improvisational music.” (FONOFORUM)

With an energy of a rock band  the three friends made  jazz clubs and bigger concert halls vibrating"…(Jazz n more)

“You’re never safe from surprises: At times it’s the rhythm that changes; at others, the emphasis. A special treat for jazz fans.” (RG. InMusic)

.....After a pause of more than 10 years, the jazz-alpine threesome has made a brilliant comeback in the jazz club Unterfahrt. (TZ München)

“Depart’s Reloaded sounds so exciting that it would seem as if the trio had never taken a time-out.” (FONOFORUM)

“An acoustic trip into the ideal jazz wonderland.” (JazzZeit, Sept.2006

“A major trio’s back...virtuoso, explosive, rocking.” (Mittlebayerische Zeitung)

“An electric, pulsating mix of alpine folklore and downtown New York grooves – of whirring sax hymns and rumbling rhythms.” (FN, Depart CD Review, DRS Radiozeitung)

...He plays like he speaks, speaks like he plays, plays like he moves, moves like he plays. That's what makes for the quality of his playing...and it can make your skin tingle.” (HJ, Jazzthetic)

... above which, Sokal knowingly sets spontaneous notes aflight, like a bird flying through the four seasons.” (AF, Standard)

“You’re never safe from surprises: At times it’s the rhythm that changes; at others, the emphasis. A special treat for jazz fans.” (RG. InMusic)