A Historic Reunion: Porter-Praskin Quartet (featuring Bill Elgart) Live in Berlin

Nearly four decades after first captivating audiences across Germany, pianist Larry Porter, saxophonist Allan Praskin, and drummer Bill Elgart are reuniting for a special live appearance in Berlin this October.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the quartet earned a devoted following for their fiery, uncompromising, and deeply original approach to modern jazz. Now, almost 40 years later, the original band comes together once again—with legendary drummer Bill Elgart traveling up from Ulm to join Berlin locals Porter and Praskin. Completing the lineup for this special engagement is the acclaimed Berlin-based bassist Jonas Westergaard, adding dynamic new drive to the ensemble's deep-rooted synergy.

The program promises an adventurous mix of dynamic original compositions, classics by Thelonious Monk, Mal Waldron, and Albert Ayler, alongside reimagined jazz standards. Driven by four distinct, highly personal voices, the evening guarantees an extraordinary level of musical dialogue, risk-taking, and raw expression.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness a landmark reunion of seasoned master improvisers.

• Allan Praskin – Alto Saxophone
• Larry Porter – Piano
• Jonas Westergaard – Bass
• Bill Elgart – Drums

Bill Elgart

Born in the US in 1942 and trained at the Berklee College of Music, drummer Bill Elgart is a defining figure in contemporary jazz and the avant-garde. Following early milestones such as Paul Bley's album Mr. Joy (1968), he moved to Europe in the 1970s and collaborated with international jazz greats including Kenny Wheeler, Tomasz Stańko, and Dave Holland. His distinctive style of "melodic drumming," in which the instrument serves primarily as a source of tonal color and harmony, not only characterizes late works like Thrie Threo Dri (2021), but also influenced an entire generation of modern musicians through his many years as a professor at the Würzburg University of Music and as a stage musician for the Munich Kammerspiele.

Allan Praskin

Born in Los Angeles in 1948, alto saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Allan Praskin has been a key fixture on the European jazz scene for over five decades. After establishing himself in New York's free jazz circuit alongside avant-garde figures like Sunny Murray and Sam Rivers, he toured Europe with Gunter Hampel’s Galaxie Dream Band in the 1970s and made the continent his home. Praskin’s playing seamlessly bridges the raw energy of free improvisation with the melodic elegance of classic bebop and hard bop. Over his extensive career, he has formed notable long-term partnerships—including the Porter-Praskin Quartet with Larry Porter and extended collaborations with pianist Wolfgang Köhler—while also shaping future generations as a dedicated jazz educator at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz.

Jonas Westergaard

Born in Copenhagen in 1976, double bassist Jonas Westergaard is one of the most defining and versatile figures in the European avant-garde jazz scene. After studying at his hometown's Rhythmic Music Conservatory and winning the prestigious P2 Special Prize from Danmarks Radio in 2006, he made a major compositional statement with his ambitious 2008 nonet debut album, Helgoland. Today, he works primarily between Copenhagen and Berlin, having contributed to over 60 albums as a master improviser. Alongside collaborations with jazz heavyweights like Tomasz Stańko, Jakob Bro, and Michael Wollny, he is particularly renowned for long-running, high-caliber formations—including the experimental trio DLW (with Christopher Dell and Christian Lillinger) and his trio with Søren Kjærgaard and Peter Bruun. Celebrated for his fluid dynamics, extraordinary precision, and skillful use of bowing techniques, Westergaard seamlessly blends traditional double bass foundations with orchestral tonal color and modern structural virtuosity.

Larry Porter

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1951, jazz pianist and composer Larry Porter studied at the Eastman School of Music and Berklee College of Music. With a career spanning over five decades, he has established himself as a distinguished force in the international jazz scene, collaborating and touring with icons like Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Thad Jones, and Archie Shepp. Beyond traditional jazz, Porter is known for incorporating Eastern musical traditions—particularly playing the rebab and drawing on Indian classical and Afghan folk influences—creating a unique synthesis of styles. Based in Berlin after stints in New York and Munich, he remains an active bandleader, composer, and versatile performer.