EnglishChristian Marien (*1975, Münster/Germany) – At home across a broad range of musical environments, Marien combines melodic phrasing with an intelligent sense of abstraction, formal awareness with improvisatory instinct, as well as sound-expertise with deeply rooted grooves. Preparations and objects applied to his drum-set organically enhance the musical situation, providing full awareness of the total sonic picture. Marien studied music in Amsterdam and Berlin where he has resided since 2000. As a central figure in the Berlin jazz and improvised music scene he is co-leading collaborative projects including Superimpose, The Astronomical Unit, I Am Three and Ritsche, Zast & Marien. In addition, he is a regular member of numerous other groups such as Z-Country Paradise, Hannes Zerbe Jazz Orchester and Derek plays Eric. He frequently shares the stage with such renowned musicians as Frank Gratkowski, Maggie Nicols, Matthias Schubert, Sofia Jernberg, Achim Kaufmann, Gebhard Ullmann and John Butcher.