AMMÜ QUARTET , Amsterdam-München Mary Oliver-viola, violine Johanna Varner-cello Christofer Varner-trombone, shells Han Bennink-drums This new quartet formation, which is making its debut at the jazz festival in Guttenberg on 17 June 2006, derives its characteristic sound from a striking combination of instruments -- trombone, strings and percussion -- and a musical form that combines traditional jazz with avant-garde music. The four musicians all come from the international new jazz scene. Mary Oliver is a long-time member of ICP Amsterdam and a much sought-after avant-garde musician. She has performed with musicians such as Evan Parker, Tristan Honsinger and Ab Baars. Han Bennink, a master of the drums, has performed with many, if not most of the big names in jazz over the last 40 years. Partners include Eric Dolphy, Albert Mangelsdorff, Peter Brötzmann and Anthony Braxton. . Johanna and Christofer Varner, both of whom have received music grants from the City of Munich, play regularly as a duo. Over the past year, they have also collaborated extensively with the Duo Barry Guy (GB) & Maya Homburger (CH) and with Phil Durrant (GB).