The Dutch-German trio Torque uses a style that emphasizes the trio’s unity in improvisation. Although the trio is rooted in contemporary jazz, you can hear influences from pop music and classical music. The majority of the lyrics are written by Koen Schalkwijk (pianist), who can be seen on many well-known stages such as the North Sea Jazz Festival or the Bimhuis. Mathias Polligkeit, on bass, and Antoine Duijkers, on drums, provide a solid rhythmic basis on which the compositions can be developed. Their first album, Forward, was released in 2011 on Neuklang Records and received positive reviews in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The music was featured on Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur, HR2 Kultur and NDR Info, as well as Radio Bremen, Radio 6, Radio 6 (VPRO), 3sat, 3voor12(VPRO), 3sat, among others. In 2011, Torque also began to collaborate with Jefta Tanate and Aida Guirro Sanlinas. The audience was enthusiastic about their first performance which featured one set of improvised music and dance. from http://www.torquetrio.com
