Artvark – Four Fathers

Idiosyncratic saxophone quartet on an audiovisual trip with new album Four Fathers.

In a hectic world full of temptations, Artvark goes its own way, searching for new music and new sounds. Inspired by composers like Béla Bartók and Charles Mingus, the group presents Four Fathers, the long-awaited sequel to Mother of Thousand and the second chapter of their trilogy, once again featuring a starring role for the rare slide saxophone. Artvark creates the ultimate soundtrack without a film, where the melancholy of the blues is never far away.

With this album, Artvark dives into the versatility of fatherhood, a theme as complex, raw, and tender as the sounds of their saxophones. The quartet approaches the saxophone formation as a living organism that transcends the boundaries of jazz and classical music, resulting in extensive sound textures, layered instrumentation, and subtle electronics. For this special production, Artvark is surrounded by an artistic team: visual artist and concept developer Eric Magnée (who previously collaborated with Ben Wendel and Tin Men & The Telephone), scenographer Thyrza Coenraad, lighting designer Wijnand van der Horst, and sound designer Nikki Rutten. Together they create a sensory total experience in which Artvark's central question resounds again: how far does the world of four saxophones reach?

Rolf Delfos alto sax/bass clarinet, Bart Wirtz alto sax/slide sax, Mete Erker tenor sax/slide sax, Peter Broekhuizen baritone sax/slide sax

Eric Magnée visuals/concept, Thyrza Coenraad scenography, Wijnand van der Horst lighting design, Nikki Rutten sound design