John Blek and The Broken Strings will be embarking on their first tour of Europe in early 2024. The trio consists of Irish songwriter John Blek, Dresden-based cellist Moritz Brümmer and Leipzig-based viola player Filip Sommer.
The group met for the first time in July 2022, while on an artist-in-residence programme in the Saxony countryside just outside Dresden. Blek had been commissioned to write a suite of songs by the Free State of Saxony and record them at Castle Studios, Röhrsdorf. Brümmer and Sommer were also working on this session, and the trio gelled to great effect. Working together in an inspired and fluid way.
It was the blend of their traditional classical training and their improvisational skills that impressed John and led him to invite Brümmer and Sommer to join him on tour.
There is a sense of freedom and joy in the playing of this group. The rise and fall of ensemble string playing mixed with the fingerpicking guitar style and emotive lyricism of Blek’s songs. True synergy is achieved when they perform together.
01.02. Dresden – Stromwerk
02.02. Berlin – Kulturhaus Insel
03.02. Karlsruhe – Cafe NUN
04.02. Langenberg – Kultur.Güter.Bahnhof
Hailing from Cork, Ireland, John Blek is an Irish troubadour in the truest sense of the word, dedicating himself to his craft and the development of his own new tradition whilst always endeavouring to remain true to those who have gone before him.
A prolific songwriter and touring artist, Blek likes to keep himself busy both in the studio and on the road. He has released seven solo albums and tours relentlessly across Ireland, UK, Belgium, Netherland, Germany and Denmark.