picture credit: Gabriela Schutz

Asaf Sirkis Trio

'Devastatingly creative' John Fordham, The Guardian 2008

Thursday 18th February 8.30 p.m.
(doors open 8.00)

Asaf Sirkis drums, percussion

Tassos Spiliotopoulos electric guitar

Jonathan Harvey bass

Fronting his own trio which released its debut CD The Monk in 2008, Asaf Sirkis's playing and compositions reflect Middle Eastern and North African influences, as well as the 70s fusion style of John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra.. Asaf has also played and recorded with Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble and with The Inner Noise.

'Sirkis is not only an inventive drummer but also a composer of rigour, wit and surprising delicacy' Chris Ingham, Mojo Magazine, October 2008.

Asaf Sirkis Trio's album 'The Monk'

MOJO review, November 2008

Asaf Sirkis Trio
**** (4 stars)
Review by Chris Ingham

Israeli drummer leads prog-jazz power trio
Known largely for his work with Gilad Atzmon's Orient House Ensemble, Sirkis has also led some superb albums in the last decade. The obvious reference point is the muscular drummer led fusion of Tony Williams' late ‘60s/early ‘70s trio Lifetime, and like Williams, Sirkis is not only an inventive drummer but also a composer of rigour, wit and surprising delicacy. The extrovert opener Stoned Bird and the haunting title track set the tone. Sirkis's neat firepower is showcased amid plangent guitar arpeggios from Tassos Spiliotopoulos, lyrical bass work from Yaron Stavi and berserk keyboard cameos from guest Gary Husband. These capable creative players produce a lot of music here, but there's air and expressive space too, especially in the quietly exploratory Without A Story and the ruminative End of the Circle in which Sirkis sketches fascinatingly elaborate and subtle percussive commentary.

Click here to see Asaf's site for more