Tern
The improvising trio Tern is

• Philipp Wachsmann, violin and electronics;
• Martin Hackett, Korg MS10
• Emil Karlsen, drums.

First coming together in 2019, they recognised in each other a commonality of approach to improvisation, based on each musician’s concern with the expressive physicality of their instrument’s sound.

Tern (Wachsmann / Hackett / Karlsen) are all exceptional musicians in their own right, and each recognised for their unique approach to creating improvised music. When these three great minds chose to work together they sparked a rare artistic alchemy with startling results, from the subtle and ethereal melodic ideas, to robust and tactile rhythmic volleys, even the roughest of sounds in their repertoire are deeply considered and musically compelling. They reveal a vast palette of colour as they dance between the darkest shadows and the most vivid and dazzling light. This is fine music for all the senses.

Dr Paul Abbott, Director of Events and Enterprise, Leeds Conservatoire & Artistic Director, Sounds Like THIS Festival

Emil Karlsen – Brilliant and innovative young drummer ” Tony Dudley-Evans (Birmingham jazz and Fizzle)

Philipp Wachsmann –  one of the finest violinists working in improvised music today — The Vortex London

“Tern’s instrumental emancipation looks to raise the bar for subsequent 21st-century improvisation going forward. ” Darren Bergstein, DMG

“Wonderfully idiosyncratic and masterful conversations.” — Squidco

Terns are seabirds in the family Laridae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers, or wetlands.

Listen at Bandcamp