marco ullstein quintet
"With great pleasure, I listened to this new recording by Marco's quintet. It's beautiful music with a fantastic atmosphere, played by five excellent musicians who create a cohesive band sound together. Marco's compositions are wonderful, providing each musician ample room to showcase their individual talents. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Marco's music and his group, and I wish them a bright musical future together."
– Rob van Bavel (dutch pianist and educator)
"This highly accomplished quintet, [...] played with great dynamics and beautiful colors under the direction of their humble leader Marco Ullstein. I can't wait to hear them play again [...]!“
– Jury chairman Grachtenfestival Jazz competition Sander Grande
concerts
18/11/24
10/11/24
06/10/24
21/09/24
14/09/24
31/08/24
18/07/24
17/07/24
16/07/24
02/05/24
29/02/24
16/02/24
10/12/23
10/12/23
09/12/23
10/11/23
08/11/23
04/11/23
28/08/23
18/08/23
12/08/23
06/08/23
12/07/23
16/06/23
03/06/23
09/05/23
07/05/23
16/04/23
15/04/23
26/03/23
29/01/23
18/01/23
Paard (opener) – The Hague
Zeeheldentheater – The Hague
Pletterij – Haarlem
POM – Eindhoven
Tuchinski Festival – Rotterdam
Grachtenfestival – Amsterdam
Fara Music Festival – Fara/IT
Stix Jazz Club – Perugia/IT
Umbria Jazz Festival – Perugia/IT
Jazz Karussell – Oberhausen
Sudio 150 – Amsterdam
No Limit – Amsterdam
ECI Kultur Fabriek – Roermond
Pitboel Theater – Sittard
Muziekgebouw – Eindhoven
De Muze – Antwerp/BE
Concertgebouw – Amsterdam
PJPJ Voorschoten – NL
Heerlen Jazz Competition – NL
Barga Jazz Festival – IT
Grachtenfestival – Amsterdam
Fara Music Festival – IT
Umbria Jazz – IT
27bflat – Brugge/BE
JazzBoz Festival – NL
Café September – The Hague
Musicon – The Hague
Zeeheldentheatre – The Hague
De Muze – Antwerp/BE
Zonnehuis – Amsterdam
Blue Note Hall CVA – Amsterdam
Cafe LaBru – Rotterdam
"Marco Ullstein Quintet is a band with character and with characters (musicians) whom each get enough space to perform as an individual. The mature improvisations of Marco and of the saxophone - and guitar player are impressive. The band play is top! Your own repertoire and your own sound makes this band unique!"
– Jury EU Jazz Award Heerlen
In March 2023, the Quintet won the 1st prize at the Grachtenfestival jazz competition in Amsterdam and went on tour in the Netherlands. In the summer 2023, after playing as finalists at the Conad Jazz Contest at Umbria Jazz Festival (IT) they were awarded three first prizes at Barga Jazz Festival and Fara Jazz Festival in Italy and the EU Young Talent Jazz Award in Heerlen (NL). Recent concerts brought the quintet to perform at renowned venues like the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Muziekgebouw Eindhoven and in February 2024 thy received the audience award for the best performance at the Jazz competition Bettinardi in Piacenza, (IT).
In February 2024 they received support by the Keep an Eye Foundation for a live recording session at Studio 150 in Amsterdam and in august 2024 their debut album will be released.
"It was as if the dozens of attendees in Amsterdam's Tolhuistuin were transported note by note into another world"
– De Telegraaf
biography
The Marco Ullstein Quintet skillfully blends jazz tradition with contemporary elements through the unique instrumentation of vibraphone, tenor saxophone, guitar, bass and drums. Led by the vibraphonist and composer, Marco Ullstein, the quintet’s music is characterized by its melodic and thoughtfully arranged compositions that create a recognizable blend of instrumental voices. By changing the roles of the instruments throughout each piece, a variety of sounds and catchy passages are created that showcase the exceptional musicianship as an ensemble and of each member as a soloist.
Inspired by jazz greats like Brian Blade, Gary Burton, Chick Corea and others, their unique sound features a mix of even eights and swing elements, as well as Marco’s classical music background. All members of the band are seasoned jazz musicians who studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where they have developed a strong connection both musically and personally over the years. This synergy allows the quintet to achieve a tight, nuanced sound that blends traditional and modern jazz elements.
Marco Ullstein – Vibraphone
Pietro Mirabassi – Tenor Sax
Emiliano Roca – Guitar
Arjun Ramdas – Bass
Francesco V. Parsi – Drums