Pete Roth Trio feat. Bill Bruford(DE/UK)

The Pete Roth Trio consists of guitarist and bandleader Pete Roth, bassist Mike Pratt, and the legendary drummer Bill Bruford. Together, they create jazz for a new generation of music lovers, moving freely beyond the traditional confines of the genre. The group's roots are deeply embedded in popular music, yet they strive to challenge and expand the boundaries of what is possible within jazz. Here, a familiar standard may only reveal its secrets in the final notes of the performance...

The word jazz suggests musicians who listen to one another and interact; people who never play the same thing twice. This trio embodies these qualities in abundance, yet their music also moves beyond, around, over, and under jazz. Some call it “almost-jazz,” “neo-jazz,” or “stadium-jazz,” distancing themselves from the “old-mans-jazz” many associate with the genre.

Roth’s own works, such as “Dancing with Grace,” the group’s original compositions like “Trio in Five” and “Looking Forward to Looking Back,” or their groundbreaking interpretation of Anton Dvořák’s “Largo from Symphony No. 9,” offer just a glimpse into the creative universe of the Pete Roth Trio—a world that may change the way you view what a guitar trio can achieve.

Pete Roth is a German-born guitarist and versatile musician with roots in a music-loving family. He began playing guitar at 11 and found early inspiration in blues and rock, later delving deeper into jazz during his studies in England. With influences from artists such as Joe Pass and John Scofield, Roth has released two albums as a bandleader and is now presenting his first trio project, exploring new musical landscapes for a modern jazz audience.

Mike Pratt is a bassist, composer, and producer based in London. With roots in funk and fusion, he has played with groups like KGQ and Shorter Than Miles. Mike has collaborated with artists like Acantha Lang and Liane Carroll, and performed at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and the Royal Albert Hall. As a member of the Pete Roth Trio, Mike steps away from the traditional role of the bassist, contributing creatively to the trio’s melodic and rhythmic interplay, with a strong sense of groove and improvisation.

Bill Bruford is a legendary drummer with one foot in both rock and jazz. He has collaborated with greats like Al Di Meola and the Buddy Rich Orchestra and led his own bands, such as Bruford and Earthworks. Known for his innovative drumming and curiosity for new expressions, he is inducted into both the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes. Bruford is a pioneer constantly in search of the unexpected.

On stage:
Pete Roth – guitar
Mike Pratt – bass
Bill Bruford – drums