The Ambush Party

Natalio Sued - tenor sax
Oscar Jan Hoogland - piano
Harald Austbø - cello
Marcos Baggiani - drums

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In the last few years a new generation of improvisers have made their mark on Amsterdam venues. The Ambush Party, formed in 2006, is at the forefront of this lively international scene. The group developed its sound in experimental venues like Zaal 100 and Boog 29, but is now also appearing on such renowned stages as Bimhuis and Paradiso. Unlike more traditional jazz quartets, all the musicians in this band play an equal role. Personal styles and sound inform the improvisations, which balance precariously between individuality and teamwork. The strategic piano playing of Hoogland finds a counterpoint in Sued’s serene sax melodies. Austbo’s lyrical cello parries the playful percussion of Baggiani. Long and intensive playing has resulted in a mastery of various aspects of improvised music - refined sound experiments, instant composition, searing free jazz. And to everyone’s surprise, a composition will sometimes raise its head.

Harald Austbø began classical cello at the age of nine and later came into contact with improvisation through Ernst Reijseger. He has a Bachelor in Acting (Antwerp Theater School) and a Bachelor Cello-Jazz (Conservatory of Amsterdam). He toured and composed for various music theatre productions (Orkater) in the Netherlands and Belgium and plays in various jazz, improvisation and theatre groups. Current bands are: The Ambush Party, Susies Haarlok, Chris Corstens Kwartet, White Noise Ensemble. Austbø also plays solo with loops and human beat box.

Marcos Baggiani started drumming at the age of 9 in Buenos Aires, where he later developed as a professional musician. In 2001 he moved to Amsterdam. He has a Master degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Marcos is constantly working on improvised music and structured improvisations. He co-leads the Celano - Baggiani Group and The Ambush party, and plays with the Royal Improvisers Orchestra, Mapi Quintana’s Band, and in a duo with Michael Fischer. He’s intensely involved in interdisciplinary work with dancers.

Oscar Jan Hoogland is active in the fields of music and dance improvisation in Amsterdam, working in fixed bands and groups as well as in ad hoc collaborative settings. Besides improvising he has composed for several theatre and dance pieces and has been writing for his own groups as well as for other ensembles and soloists. Current bands are The Ambush Party, EKE, danceBand and duo Han Bennink/Oscar Jan Hoogland.

Natalio Sued is one of the most representative voices of the new jazz scene in Buenos Aires and a very distinct player and composer among the musicians in Europe. Sued completed his classical studies in Argentina at the National Conservatorium Lopez Buchardo and his jazz masters at the Conservatorium of Amsterdam. He combines the simplicity and expressivity of folk songs with the rhythmic and harmonic complexity of jazz music. His compositions are a subtle blend of written and improvised music. Groups include Intuit Quintet, Natalio Sued Quartet, Batiband, Opositor and Tetzepi.