KLARO! [‘klaroʊ] (adj., dial, Ger.; 1. clear, lucid, obvious 2. right, true, real) started in Karolina’s youth as a play on words with her nickname “Karo.” “Ever since I was a child, ‘Klaro-Karo’ was a word of encouragement used by family and friends. So it was only natural to name my band after it—simply KLARO!”
This compelling quartet is a close collaboration between Austrian alto saxophonist Karolina Strassmayer and her long-time musical partner, New York drummer Drori Mondlak. These two very distinct musical personalities have merged their musical visions into one.
Performing Strassmayer’s original compositions, KLARO! fuses the romanticism of European classical and folk music with the rhythmic fire and swing of American jazz and the harmonic sophistication of contemporary improvised music.
Pianist Rainer Böhm was nominated for the Echo Jazz Prize in 2015 for Instrumentalist of the Year. Böhm’s inspired playing and lyricism are a great addition to KLARO! and can be heard on the new CD Of Mystery And Beauty.
David Friedman is one of the most influential vibraphonists, composers and jazz educators in the world. He has performed with Leonard Bernstein, Bobby McFerrin, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Horace Silver and Ron Carter. He was recently awarded the lifetime achievement award by the Percussive Arts Society. Friedman is a masterful vibraphonist and a musician with heart and soul.
The young American pianist Billy Test is not only celebrated as the newest member of the WDR Big Band, but also as an imaginative composer, soloist and accompanist. His impressive vita includes numerous awards and jazz greats such as Dave Liebman, the Village Vanguard Orchestra and many more.
The Dutch pianist Hans Vroomans is not only a member of the Grammy-winning Metropole Orkest, but also a highly sought-after accompanist, most recently with Al Jarreau, Ivan Lins and John Scofield. He is also on the faculty of the Amsterdam Conservatory and gives workshops and master classes worldwide.
The renowned bassist Thomas Stabenow has performed with international jazz greats such as Johnny Griffin, Charlie Rouse, Lee Konitz, Mel Lewis, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Cobham, Cedar Walton and Stan Getz.
Austrian-born Hans Glawischnig is one of the most sought-after bassists on the New York scene. Jazz greats like Chick Corea, Paquito D'Rivera or Billy Hart love his powerful playing and since autumn 2018 Glawischnig is a member of the HR Big Band.
The American bassist Cliff Schmitt recently started commuting between New York and Germany. He tours with Curtis Stigers, Rick Margitza and many others. His own project with guitarist/harmonica player Noé Socha is called Likho Duo.