»Amazing
talent«
(BBE Music)
Sean Haefeli is at home in both soul and jazz. The American musician, who has been living in Berlin for ten years now, writes strong songs that are deeply rooted in African-American music culture. His fascinating, attractive stage presence is paired with a relaxed nonchalance, his distinctive voice is sometimes reminiscent of the unforgotten poet and singer Gil Scott-Heron. As the singer of the extremely successful Berlin nu-jazz collective Jazzanova, he is in demand worldwide, and in his own trio with bassist Francesco Beccaro and drummer Genius Wesley, he not only shines as a versatile singer and multi-faceted, uniquely talented pianist and keyboardist, but also as a gifted jazz poet. The American poet Kalamu ya Salaam once wrote that Sean Haefeli’s lyrics sound “a cross between Ezra Pound in the metro and some alternative spoken word.…he takes unexpected twists and turns, puts lyrics you have to listen to at least thrice in order to decipher them. Sometimes it swings, sometimes it grooves but there is always something emotionally moving going on.”
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What the press says:
“Sean Haefeli speaks his own language, from beautiful, soulful songwriting to instrumental jams – all recorded as a trio and with a penetrating live character. Haefeli’s great voice then floats above it in all its facets.” (Jazz Thing)
“Certainly jazz, but also soul and if necessary, with a contemporary hip-hop attitude, always to the point without losing any of the elegance.” (Sonic Soul Reviews)
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Funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of NRW
Sean Haefeli: vocals, Fender Rhodes
Francesco Beccaro: bass
Genius Wesley: drums
seanhaefeli.com