Artists:
Luluk Purwanto - violin (representing the Republic of Indonesia)
René van Helsdingen - piano (representing The Royal Netherlands)
Essiet Okon Essiet - bass (representing The United States of America)
Marcello Pellitteri - drums (representing The United States of America)


Music style:
Jazz/Improvised music, influenced by individual cultural traditions

Stage:
The Stage Bus - special multifunctional vehicle for travel & performance designed by a Dutch artist. The Stage Bus can unfold into a fully equipped Stage including instruments and Sound System (30 minutes)



Tour Period: May 1 - September 30, 2002

Bebop, Modern, Cool, Mainstream, Swing. Call it what you want, these 4 musicians got it to the infinite power. They create the hottest moments sure to keep you cool.

A new CD-Rom: Film2000/ Lir-Ilir. (Munich records BMWCD296) including a “live” performance on the Stage Bus in front of the Eiffel tower, Paris. This CD-rom is an addition to the previous release: Born Free. (Munich records BMMCD296)

Luluk Purwanto was born and raised in the world"s largest and most varied archipilago, Indonesia. Home to people from a maze of ethnic groups. each with their own language and cultural traditions living harmoniously together. It is the quaiity of her background and experience that unlocked her universal desire for artistic expression and freedom; Jazz. Luluk earned her musical degrees from The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australia and from the Institute of Art in Yogyakarta Indonesia. She was first exposed to Jazz playing in 1980 and started her career criss-crossing the world playing at festivals, concert halls and Jazz clubs. It was during a tour through India and Indonesia in l986 that she joined her husband René van Helsdingen. “Like better known husband and wife teams in progressive Jazz, this duo have an unspoken simpatico between them.” (Cashbox,Dec.25.1993). Over the years René has recorded and produced for many different labels, such as Virgin, Timeless, WEA, Pasific, his own label: Helsdingen Music and Munich Records, Wageningen, Holland. René’s piano work is articulate, engaging and always encourages good side men. Essiet Okon Essiet is a leading bassist with an outstanding background and an endless future. Essiet has performed and recorded with a literal Who’s who of Jazz and progressive music, including Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Adullah Ibrahim, Don Moye, Benny Golson, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Louis Hayes, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Sam Rivers, George Adams, Kenny Garrett, Al Foster, Bobby Watson & Horizon, Kevin Mahogany, Mulgrew Miller, Geri Allen-Ralph Peterson, Blue Note Allstars and many others. Essiet also leads his group called IBO (Intercontinental Bush Orchestra), a Nigerian Jazz Project. Special Guest and member of the Helsdingen trio is the Italian born Drummer, Marcello Pellitteri. Mr. Pellitteri has Performed and recorded with Jacky Terrasson, New York Voices, Jon Hendricks, Miroslav Vitous, Kenny Barron, Joe henderson, Dave Liebman, Mick Goodrick, Woody Shaw, John Abercrombie, Winton Marsalis Fabio Morgera Vic Juris Eddie Gomez and many others. Essiet Okon Essiet and Marcello Pellitteri are a solid Rhythm section adding a strongly pronounced Jazz character to the music.

Their Latest CD: “Born Free”
(Munich Records BMMCD 296, CD including Bonus CD ROM track, video clip MPEG1 File)
Their Latest CD-Rom: “Film2000”
(Munich Records BMWCD 296, CD-Rom 20 minutes movie in addition to “Born Free”

This new and exiting CD release is for the listeners who are into long solo’s as well as for people who are drawn to the compositional aspect of Jazz music. Their music takes advantage of what each band member has to offer. A sensational combination of personal statements. A unique and unpredictable, anything goes, mix of moods and styles influenced by their traditions and backgrounds.