Per Mathisen & Utsi Zimring – The Coinflippers

A quartet made up of four distinctive personalities of the European jazz scene represents an exceptionally powerful musical connection that is literally breathtaking. The core of the ensemble consists of the rhythm section Mathisen / Zimring, which has been regularly touring as a trio with pianist Daniel Bulatkin across Europe since 2018—from Norway through the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Romania—and with the arrival of the fourth member, saxophonist Ondřej Štveráček, the energy of the quartet is taken even further. The music performed by the quartet consists mainly of original compositions by all its members and represents a blend of fast, energetic, hard-hitting acoustic modern jazz with elements extending into high-octane electric fusion.

Per “Bass Viking” Mathisen is a prominent figure on the Norwegian jazz scene, often referred to as Norway’s answer to Jaco Pastorius on electric bass and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on double bass. He is the youngest member of what is probably the most trend-setting musical family in Norway, where four brothers are professional musicians. Per has performed in more than 45 countries with some of the world’s most famous jazz musicians, including names such as: Alex Acuna, Adam Nussbaum, Jon Christensen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Bill Evans, Hiram Bullock, Mike Stern, Geri Allen, Gary Thomas, Gary Husband, Nguyen Le, Ulf Wakenius. He has released more than 20 critically acclaimed albums under his own name or as a member of various groups.

Utsi Zimring, originally from Israel and long active between Israel and New York, is a recording artist, composer, and drummer active on the international jazz scene. He has performed and recorded with stars such as Mike Stern, Dave Kikoski, Jeff Andrews, Bob Franceschini. Behind the drum kit he is literally a firework display—possessing technical abilities matched by very few, and he is a drummer capable of moving with complete confidence between traditional swing jazz, jazz-rock, and fusion.

Daniel Bulatkin is a pianist, organist, composer, and arranger, and belongs among the prominent personalities of the emerging generation of European jazz. Since 2021 he has been based in the Netherlands, and as both a leader and sideman he has performed in more than 25 countries on three continents. He leads several international projects and has released multiple award-winning albums under his own name, which ranked among the best recordings of the year in polls by Czech Radio. As a composer, he received the OSA award for Best Czech Jazz Composition of 2024 for the piece “The Simple Things.” He has collaborated with world-renowned musicians such as: Seamus Blake, Dayna Stephens, Ulf Wakenius, Justin Faulkner, Will Vinson, David Friedman, Tineke Postma, Gary Husband, Gilad Atzmon, Gergo Borlai and others.

Ondřej Štveráček is the saxophone master of the Czech Republic, recording artist, arranger, and composer. “When Ondřej Štveráček picks up his tenor saxophone, people tend to stop whatever they are doing and start listening. His exceptional bebop playing, strongly influenced and inspired by John Coltrane, has become a true sensation. He is a genuine virtuoso on his instrument.” - Jerry Bergonzi. Ondřej has performed with musicians such as: Gene Jackson, Dave Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi, George Mraz, Harry Sokal, Alex Sipiagin, Poogie Bell, Boris Kozlov, Martin Valihora.