A fresh and vibrant ensemble led by Berlin-based drummer Christian Marien, marking his first self-titled project. Joined by three distinguished improvisers – Tobias Delius (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Jasper Stadhouders (guitar), and Antonio Borghini (double bass) – this quartet captures a rare musical chemistry where composition and spontaneity coexist in perfect balance.

Their debut album How Long Is Now (2024) bridges abstraction and groove, creating a dynamic space where structured forms dissolve into improvisational freedom. Marien’s compositions are not strict frameworks, but open landscapes – waiting to be reshaped in each performance. The result is music that is at once playful, thoughtful, intense, and deeply human.

Described by The Wire as a band that “breathes together,” the quartet’s interplay is defined by mutual listening, empathy, and joyful risk-taking. Critics have praised the group’s unique ability to explore contrasts – from serene minimalism to chaotic bursts of energy – always grounded in musical curiosity and collective trust.

How Long Is Now is more than just an album title – it’s a question, a mindset, a celebration of the ephemeral. In the spirit of Ornette Coleman’s words, “Beauty is a rare thing,” this quartet invites the listener into a moment of beauty that feels both immediate and timeless.

Line-up: Tobias Delius – tenor saxophone, clarinet; Jasper Stadhouders – guitar; Antonio Borghini – double bass; Christian Marien – drums

This concert is supported by Liveurope – the first pan-European initiative to support concert clubs in their efforts to host concerts by emerging European artists. Liveurope is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.