WAKE by Lukas DeRungs

Following the success of his debut album KOSMOS SUITE (nominated for the German Jazz Award 2023), Lukas DeRungs releases his second album, WAKE. Recorded immediately after a tour, the album captures the synergy of a tightly-knit band whose members have grown together over the years, fostering mutual trust and creativity: Immy Churchill (London) on vocals, Karim Saber (London) on guitar, Jonas Esser (New York) on drums, Jan Dittmann (Mannheim) on double bass, and Lukas DeRungs on piano, vocals, and beatbox.

Half of the ten original tracks feature lyrics, some written by vocalist Immy Churchill and others by German artist Constanze Zacharias. The remaining tracks are instrumental compositions where the voice is seamlessly woven as an instrument, blending in virtuosic lines with the guitar. The album moves effortlessly between contemporary jazz, groove-driven music, and song forms, delivering a powerful and finely nuanced sound.

Three of the tracks feature renowned artists from the European jazz scene: Rainer Böhm on piano, Bodek Janke on tabla and percussion, and Johannes Stange on flugelhorn, didgeridoo, and trumpet.

The title WAKE carries multiple layers of meaning, translating to “awakening,” “vigil,” or “wake” in the context of mourning. It stands for heightened awareness, presence, and an invitation to trust one’s intuition.

lukas.derungs.de