Scopes, a new European quartet, is led by Mathias Ruppnig (Austria) and Tom Berkmann (German). They first met when they were based in New York. After performing in various projects together with Tony Tixier (french pianist/keyboardist), they formed the foundation of an impressive collaboration that Ben van Gelder, a renowned Dutch alto saxophonist, completed. The quartet was formed in 2018, and has been touring throughout Europe, Spain, France, Germany. Austria, Switzerland, and Austria. While their roots are in jazz tradition are obvious, Scopes’ search for a sense for the pulse time has created a young sound world that incorporates wider influences. It is a melting pot for original melodic composition and improvisation, infused with textural synthscapes, liquescent Sax, and infused with textural synthscapes. It’s a confidently joyous partnership, Tom Berkmann describing their band name as “a frame inside which we can be endlessly creative – a ‘musical playground’ where we are able to open up in different ways.” from www.whirlwindrecordings.com
