Created at Boston’s BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, the PATRICK KUNKA QUARTET brings together some of Scotland’s most promising young rising-star jazz musicians in an explosive and highly creative new project. Led by drummer and composer Patrick Kunka, their music combines a youthful energy and fire with a fully-grown musical sensitivity and highly developed instrumental facility all round.
PATRICK KUNKA is a drummer and composer from Aberdeen, Scotland who was awarded a scholarship to Berklee at the age of 18. While at Berklee, Patrick was awarded the "Keith Copeland/Sabian Award for Outstanding Musicianship" from the percussion department, as well as the "Professional Music Award for Outstanding Musical Achievement". Patrick also came runner-up in the Best Drummer category of the inaugural Scottish Jazz Awards in 2009. Patrick has studied with Terri-Lyne Carrington, Steve Davis, Bob Kaufman, and Jon Hazilla amongst others. Patrick Kunka's Myspace page
LEAH GOUGH-COOPER is an alto saxophone player from Dumfries, Scotland who was awarded a full-scholarship to Berklee College of Music at the age of 16. Leah studied with Berklee alumna Laura MacDonald in Scotland and now studies with master saxophonist George Garzone in Boston. In 2007 she was a finalist for BBC Scotland's "Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award". Leah also leads her own fusion group Human Equivalent. Leah Gough-Cooper's Myspace page
ALAN BENZIE is a piano player from Glasgow, Scotland. Originally a classical violinist, he only switched to piano during his last year at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh. Despite this, at the age of 17, Alan won BBC Scotland's "Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award", and was then awarded a scholarship to study at Berklee in 2007. Alan also came runner-up in the Best Pianist category of the inaugural Scottish Jazz Awards in 2009. Alan has studied with Steve Hamilton and Chick Lyall in Scotland, and JoAnne Brackeen and Laszlo Gardony in Boston.
DYLAN COLEMAN is a bass player from Townsend, MA, USA. Dylan grew up playing classical piano from a young age, but decided to switch to bass when he became interested in improvised music. Dylan was the Massachusetts All-State Jazz Bassist
from 2005-2006, and now attends Berklee College of Music on scholarship where he
received the “Norm Nathan Award for Outstanding Musicianship” in 2009. At Berklee, Dylan has studied with John Lockwood, Bruno Raberg, and Oscar Stagnaro. Dylan Coleman's Myspace Page
"An aggression rarely seen in British Jazz" - Metro
"A remarkable outfit even for the remarkable current Scottish scene." - JazzUK
"Each musician took their turn to show off their skills in a mindblowing set ... For newcomers to jazz, high priests of jazz and everybody in between, this fine drummer's quartet are definitely worth catching" - Evening Express
"Although barely in their 20s, all four musicians display a remarkable maturity ... These are undoubtedly stars of the future, playing with fresh and engaging individuality today." - ExploreMusic
"A very high level of musicianship both in playing and
composition..." - Bruno Råberg
"Patrick's understanding and execution of hard-core, aggressive "New York" Jazz is amazing." - Terri Lyne Carrington
"Leah embraces the old and new, with masterful technical facility, but with a very organic approach.." - George Garzone
"Benzie's playing was succinctly swinging.. ..a bright prospect." - John Fordham, The Guardian
Thanx guys for adding me,It's pleasure to be your friend.I hope will see you on your show in Blue Lamp,Aberdeen,on the 13th.Would be nice,I really like your deep,jazzy sound, Hugs,LuizA
Man, I have "4am" stuck in my head, beautiful tune! I need to get a copy of that CD in my hands soon, let me know when it's finished! All the best to you my friend.
Man it was really great playing with you last week! i hope we can do it again soon. Let me know when you have your cd, I would love to listen to the final product! Good luck with that!
The concert was fantastic on Tuesday, you must be pleased with how it went yourself. The recordings have come out well. All the guys played great too and I really liked your compositions. Alyn has mentioned you before saying what a great player you were. We'll sort a jam after these crazy mid-terms. Maureen
Hi Patrick thanks for looking me up you guys are burning!(we really need a more scottish phrase for that) I trust Berklee is serving you well, you're sounding great as are alan and leah maybe see you back in scotland at somepoint, as you've probably read im in italy just now (for some reason) take it easy all the best
Damn it Pat! How do you do that? How do you become even better every time! Seems just unbelievable to me! This should be forbidden to be THAT good... Actually no, cause the music world would miss you guys, but MAN, This recital was KILLING! DAMN IT, I sooo would have loved to be there! You are such a great band! All of you! Pfffff! Needless to say that I have been playing and playing the tracks over and over... CONGRATS!!!!
Hey Pat, I'm listening to the tunes right now and they are KILLING!!!! "Collider" is amazing man, you guys are totally burning on that!!! Same with "The Edge" and "Mode for Max" of course! Congratulations man, sounds like you guys played an outstanding concert. Hope I get a chance to check out the rest on DVD. Congratulations again and thanks for letting me know you posted the tunes here. P.S. Your solo in "Collider" is fucking awesome!!! Move over Antonio and Harland! :) Up the Scotts!!
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