PHOEN is a woodwind ensemble that delights in the  pleasure of polyphonic playing while creating a  homogeneous sound spectrum. The quartet is not concerned with genre boundaries, which is evident in the stylistic diversity of its compositions, and the band’s always expanding their sound world. Over the years, instruments such as clarinets and singing saw were added to the saxophone quartet's instrumentarium to further expand their sonic palette. A logical next step was the inclusion of additional musicians, which led to the creation of PHOEN Extended, where they added voice, marimba and drums.

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 The human voice is far superior to all other instruments in terms of tonal variety and flexibility. Furthermore, the addition of the textual layer makes  an accuracy of expression possible  that is unattainable with instrumental music.

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In the interplay with the saxophone quartet, the marimba can be used in a variety of ways: as a fifth melody instrument, harmony, bass or rhythm instrument. Thus, as a marimbaPHOEN, it rounds out the sound of the ensemble.

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The drums  add another rhythmic layer to the harmonic mesh without interfering harmonically. Above all, it can define the stylistics of a piece of music more than any other instrument. Thus, PHOEN Extended becomes whatever the music needs it to be: a contemporary ensemble, a pop or even a rock band.

Stylistically situated between jazz, new music and pop, PHOEN Extended's program ranges from complex arrangements with odd time signatures and meter changes to catchy pop songs. In the usual PHOEN manner, stories are always told. The different instrumentation possibilities of the seven-piece ensemble are explored and every permutation is utilised,  from the pure saxophone or clarinet quartet to the full line-up with all three "extensions". 

Expansive, Explorative, Extravagant, Exquisite, Explosive - EXTENDED.