KRAFT (Kuhl/Ballou/Dierker/Stewart) OUT NOW!

KRAFT is a band assembled by Baltimore-based drummer Mike Kuhl, featuring Dave Ballou - trumpet, John Dierker - reeds, and Luke Stewart - bass (Stewart also mixed the album). It shows Baltimore to be an absolute creative force to be reckoned with. Lots of info below on the album, and we are so proud to help get this one out in the world!

From Mike Kuhl:

Kraft is a German word that means energy, strength, force. KRAFT is a creative, improvisational quartet formed by drummer Mike Kuhl in 2018. Joining Kuhl are long-time collaborators and some the most stalwart improvisers on the scene today - Dave Ballou (trumpet), John Dierker (reeds), and Luke Stewart (bass).

Over the past ten years, Kuhl hosted a weekly gig at Bertha’s Mussels in Baltimore with his trio of Ballou, Jeff Reed (bass) and later John Lee (guitar). During that time, legendary players including Dave Liebman, Tim Berne, Michael Formanek, Tony Malaby, Drew Gress, Mark Giuliana and many others have performed with the group.

One Tuesday in the summer of 2018, Kuhl took the opportunity to showcase a group he always wanted to play with – the group to be known as KRAFT. There was an instant, beautiful, and natural chemistry to the quartet. On February 19, 2021 KRAFT was invited to perform and record a live stream concert at An Die Musik in Baltimore. That night the group realized they had created a special recording. Stewart, who holds a degree in audio production, offered to mix the recording of the concert during his week-long residency at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York.

Upon hearing the final mixes, their intuitions were confirmed. What is presented on this recording is completely unedited as it was performed that evening.

Special thanks to Henry Wong, Jed, Doc, Andrew and all the good people at An Die Musik. Very special thanks to Dave, Luke and John for their friendship and completely honest artistry.

Recording on February 19, 2021 at An Die Musik (Baltimore MD) by Andrew Bohman.
Mixed by Luke Stewart.
Mastered by Ed Tetreault.
Artwork and design by TJ Huff (huffart.com).

All compositions © 2022 Dave Ballou, John Dierker, Luke Stewart, Mike Kuhl.