Escapades by Paulo Álvares and Simon Nabatov

The venerable Cologne venue LOFT has been of great importance to the modern jazz, improvised and new music scenes, locally and internationally – and that for decades now. Already from the beginning it offered great programming, an open attitude and a Steinway D concert grand – something rather rare for a jazz venue. When a second grand piano was added to the instrumental arsenal, many pianists got an opportunity to perform piano duos on any given day, a real luxury if you ask me.

Of course, I happily took advantage of this possibility, playing on various occasions with the great Brazilian pianist Paulo Álvares, who also happens to live in Cologne. Paulo is an amazing musician whom I admire very much. He is one of the most renowned performers of New Music (although his repertoire extends way beyond), and worked closely with Helmut Lachenmann, Mauricio Kagel, Luciano Berio, Tristan Murail, Gerhard Staebler, Jonathan Harvey, Dieter Schnebel, Hans Zender, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Peter Eotvos and Gunter Schuller.
Paulo is also an outstanding improviser, and it was a joy and a privilege to share the stage and musical space with this generous soul.

Simon Nabatov
www.nabatov.com

Simon Nabatov, pianist and composer, was born in Moscow in 1959.
In 1979 he emigrated to the USA, spent in NY next 10 years and 1989 he moved to Germany.
Simon Nabatov played with the "who's who" of the jazz and improvised music community, gave concerts in over 60 countries, appeared on the numerous international festivals, received prizes and documented his music on 30 CD's under his own name.