Niklas Lukassen is a German bassist, composer, and doctoral researcher splitting his time between London and Berlin. His bandleader debut album Still Waters releases February 20th on Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Heartcore Records with liner notes by Ron Carter. 

The quartet features Ben Van Gelder on saxophone, Kit Downes on piano, and Francesco Ciniglio on drums, with guest appearances from Rosenwinkel, Wanja Slavin, and Geoffroy De Masure. Niklas is also exploring the bass cello—a unique hybrid instrument—in his trio with Gwilym Simcock and James Maddren, while pursuing doctoral research at the Royal Academy of Music on the reciprocal effects of bass doubling.

In this conversation, we explore Niklas’s musical journey from a tiny village in Germany’s Black Forest to studying at Manhattan School of Music with Ron Carter, his forced exit from New York during the pandemic, and how he rebuilt his career between London and Berlin. 

We discuss the different scenes and aesthetics of these global jazz cities, his approach to playing upright bass, electric bass, bass guitar, and the bass cello, and how working with different instruments sparks new improvisational ideas. Niklas shares insights on collaboration, giving space in the music, and the challenges and gifts of constantly adapting to new instruments and environments.

Enjoy, and connect with Niklas at his website and Instagram!

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Gear used to record this podcast

• Zoom H6 studio 8-Track 32-Bit Float Handy Recorder
• Rode Podmic
• Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera
• Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Lens
• Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens

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