Studio GDS im Moods

Sam Beste, who records under the moniker The Vernon Spring, blends and weaves jazz, soul, ambient and songwriting fabrics. His journey began through exposure to his father’s eclectic record collection at a very early age, hearing Thelonius Monk and Bob Dylan to D’Angelo or Luigi Nono. 
 
Beste accompanied Amy Winehouse as her live pianist for a large part of her career, drawing on his various influences and unique talent. This paved the way for further collaborations including work with Gabriels, Kano, Joy Crookes and MF Doom. 
 
After having helped form the Lima Limo collective and label, Beste began releasing solo music as The Vernon Spring. Merging his jazz background with contemporary electronic production, he formed his signature sound building heavily on ethereal piano work layered with emotive vocals and subtle electronics. 

AKI is more than just a jazz quartet - it is a true supergroup, featuring some of the most influential voices in contemporary jazz. With Kit Downes on piano and organ, Phil Donkin on bass and James Maddren on drums, Lucia Cadotsch unfolds a musical world full of depth and emotion. Together they create compositions that touch and surprise.
Yet AKI does not function according to the principle of individual genius. The pieces are created in a collective process in which each of them reshapes the ideas of the others through their own musical perspective. The result is a multi-layered body of sound in which everyone can shine on an equal footing.
A particular highlight of this project is the participation of renowned guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel on two songs on the last album. For Cadotsch, this was the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream - and Rosenwinkel was also immediately enthusiastic. In his words: ‘Her writing captures unique emotions and her voice is mesmerising.’

Before, between and especially after the concerts, GDS resident DJs take over the decks:
The Okvsho brothers can usually be heard on the keys and drums, respectively, with their band. They also play lively and varied DJ sets in which they bring the spirit of soul, funk and jazz to the dance floor in a modern form.
Chrigi G. us Z. has been collecting music for a long time. Almost pathologically, actually. With GDS.FM, he has now found a way to make it accessible. He puts together daily playlists in the radio programme and presents his favourites mixed in clubs and bars or at festivals.