“If you love the classic jazz organ trio format, then you’ll love this[…]” Kevin Whitlock – Jazzwise Magazine
“A solid drum groove latches onto a great rhythm, the fat bassline sounds like something Paul Jackson would have dropped in the mid 70s with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, and a confident saxophone covers everything with a classic style. […] absolutely cracking […]”
Real Gone Rocks
„Out of this world.“ KEYBOARDS – Magazine for Electronic Instruments
Matti Klein Soul Trio
Formed in 2017, the Matti Klein Soul Trio has redefined the classic organ trio sound with an unusual lineup: Klein on Wurlitzer Electric Piano and vintage Rhodes Bass, Lars Dieterich on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, and André Seidel on drums. Their warm yet edgy sound combines the depth of jazz with the grooves of funk, soul and hip-hop.
The trio has toured extensively from South Africa to Malaysia, Bahrain, Finland and the UK, performing more than 350 concerts in renowned clubs and festivals worldwide. Critics have praised their “smokin’ hot twist on the much-loved organ trio format” (Jazzwise), while audiences are drawn to their blend of catchy melodies and spontaneous interplay.
On their third album „Soul Trio Bouncin’ In Bubbleverse“, the trio explores the idea of musical “bubbles” – from funk to space rock – and bursts them with energy and humor. Each composition is paired with an “Echo”, a freer continuation of the original piece that highlights their collective improvisation and close-knit chemistry.
With bold odd time signatures, soulful ballads and explosive jams, the trio shows how groove and experimentation can coexist. Whether at major international festivals or intimate jazz clubs, the Soul Trio delivers music that is playful, profound and unmistakably their own.
Matti Klein
Since the 1970s, Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos have shaped funk and soul jazz. Icons like Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway all embraced their unique sound.
Berlin-born pianist, composer and curator Matti Klein has made “Wurli” and “Rhodes” central to his music. His breakthrough came with the funk jazz quartet Mo’ Blow, where the Rhodes sound defined the band’s ten-year run. Mo’ Blow released three albums on ACT, won Berlin’s Jazz & Blues Award in 2008, and the Future Sound Award at Leverkusener Jazztage in 2011.
Trained at the Berlin University of the Arts, Klein went on to tour with Mo’ Blow, arrange for stars like Herbert Grönemeyer and Sarah Connor, and collaborate with jazz greats including Nils Landgren, David T. Walker and Ed Motta.
He has since played over 1200 concerts worldwide, appearing at renowned venues such as Blue Note Tokyo, Ronnie Scott’s London and New Morning Paris, as well as major festivals including Marciac, Pori Jazz, Elbjazz and Jazz Baltica.
Matti Klein Soul Trio meets Max Mutzke
Look closely, and you’ll find more than just a single artist in Max Mutzke. Max is many things. That might sound odd at first, but it stems from the charismatic singer-songwriter’s incredible versatility and—not least—his insatiable creative curiosity. Whether it’s pop, rock, soul, funk, or jazz, Max Mutzke possesses a thousand musical facets.
Now he has found partners who form a trio—yet embody something more than just that. The soulful blend of groove and jazz served up by groove virtuoso Matti Klein alongside Lars Zander (saxophone and bass clarinet) and André Seidel—his cohort from his „Mo’ Blow“ days—is addictive and boasts as many facets as Max Mutzke himself.
Matti Klein has built a reputation as one of the German scene’s most interesting young groove-jazz artists through his work on various vintage keyboards and the grand piano. He regularly shares the stage and studio with stars such as Sarah Connor and Herbert Grönemeyer, and serves as musical director for Ed Motta.
The „Matti Klein Soul Trio & Max Mutzke“ program promises danceable grooves and thought-provoking lyrics, a close connection to major figures in the German groove and soul scene, and plenty of passion—not to mention the trio’s rich sound, immersive sonic landscapes, musical journeys, and sizzling solos!
Matti Klein Soul Trio meets Orchestra: Soulphonic Adventures
In the compositions of bandleader Matti Klein—masterfully arranged by Andres Reukauf—virtuosically played vintage keyboards combine with symphonic sonic splendor to create a captivating synthesis.
At the heart of the sound is Klein’s warm Wurlitzer tone, complemented by his rare Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, whose sonorous low end creates a palpable thrill. Lars Dieterich expands the trio’s sound with tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, expressive solos, and cleverly deployed sound effects. Drummer André Seidel infuses the ensemble with the kind of rhythmic energy—driven by fluid funk grooves and a playful mastery even of odd time signatures—that makes soul music not merely something to be heard, but something to be physically felt.
Since its formation in 2017, the Berlin-based trio has stood for creative freedom and stylistic openness. More than 400 concerts worldwide—ranging from international jazz festivals to renowned clubs—attest to the group’s artistic impact. Collaborations with symphony orchestras represent a logical continuation of this evolution: the orchestra serves not merely as accompaniment, but as an equal partner in a dialogue between score and improvisation.
Following in the tradition of legendary orchestral jazz projects by Bill Evans, Gil Evans, and Claus Ogermann, a sonic adventure unfolds that transcends boundaries and opens up new realms. The program includes material from the artist’s third album, *Bouncin’ In Bubbleverse*—performed with orchestral arrangements for the very first time—lending the open-air evening the unique atmosphere of a premiere.