STICK MEN

STICK MEN
featuring TONY LEVIN, MERKUS REUTER & PAT MASTELOTTO

Bergamo Jazz 2025 broadens its horizons by proposing a formidable trio that draws its lifeblood from the blend of improvisation, experimental rock and more, as well as from the extraordinary instrumental mastery of its members.
Stick Men, or Stick Men, take their name from the particular instrument invented in the 1970s by Emmett Chapman, a sort of cross between an electric bass and a guitar, usually equipped with 10 strings played with the tapping technique, which involves the independent use of the hands. Top virtuoso of the Stick è considered Tony Levin, trusted by Peter Gabriel and many others, as well as a member of various editions of King Crimson from 1981 onwards. Also converting to the Stick was German guitarist Markus Reuter. The third member is drummer Pat Mastelotto, who most people know from hearing him in the last editions of King Crimson itself, including one with three drummers.
Born in Boston in 1946, Tony Levin started playing when he was 10 years old. In high school, he switched to the electric bass and met drummer Steve Gadd, who was also destined for a luminous career and with whom Tony Levin was part of flugelhornist Chuck Mangione's band in the early 1970s. From here on, countless doors opened wide. The list of Tony Levin's collaborations, both in the studio and on stage, is almost endless: in addition to Peter Gabriel and King Crimson, John Lennon, James Taylor, Andy Summers, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Gary Burton, Alice Cooper, the Italians Claudio Baglioni and Ivano Fossati, to name but a few.
Markus Reuter started out as a pianist, later converting to guitar, thanks to his studies with Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft, and then to Stick and Touch Guitar. He has made several solo records and plays with various bands, including Centrozoon and Tuner, a duo with Pat Mastelotto. He has also been a member of the Europa String Choir and has collaborated with Ian Boddy, Robert Rich, Tim Bowness and others.
Pat Mastelotto approached the drums as a self-taught musician and also developed a keen interest in electronics.Major collaborations include Mr. Mister, XTC, David Sylvian, The Rembrandts and Finnish Kimmo Pohjonen, and of course King Crimson, where he cemented his partnership with Tony Levin.

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