Hailed as The best fusion trio in Germany by no less an authority than that countrys premier jazz magazine, JazzPodium, Jazz Pistols describes its music as Energy Jazz, a moniker that perfectly suits the dynamic synthesis of jazz and rock that has become the trademark of guitarist Stefan Ivan Schfer, bassist Christoph Victor Kaiser and drummer Thomas Lui Ludwig. This triumvirate - whose members are each one of Germanys leading players on his respective instrument - came together in 1995 and for more than a decade-and-a-half has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for their live performances in 33 countries around Europe and Africa. The international release in March 2011 of the trios fifth CD, Superstring - which in addition to 7 original compositions by Schfer also pays tribute to two fusion superstars with inspired arrangements of songs by Jaco Pastorius and Victor Wooten - will expand Jazz Pistols growing global following through a comprehensive North American radio promotion campaign targeting stations and programmers playing progressive music in the US and Canada. A Power Trio in the truest sense of the words, Jazz Pistols has crafted a sensational sound that takes full advantage of its members wide-ranging versatility, instrumental virtuosity and technical skills. The bands catchy, groove-oriented tunes often incorporate complex time signatures as a compositional device in addition to advanced harmonies and melodies, crafting a fresh, dynamic sound they can recreate live without the aid of tape loops and other effects. One moment guitarist Schfer can be searing through a hard groove piece and then effortlessly shift gears to weave sensuously through a ballad. Kaiser, who received a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music, uses a remarkable tapping technique on his 6-string bass to provide a harmonic pulse to the trios performances fueled by the extraordinary polyrhythmic pyrotechnics of drummer Ludwig who has also played in the bands Jeff Beck, Chaka Khan and Joss Stone. A musical tour de force that truly is greater than the sum of its parts, Jazz Pistols has re-charged the music scene in Europe with its Energy Jazz .
