Thomas Marek Trio Footprints

Together with pianist Bebelaar & bassist Roder, Marek integrated tap dancing, percussion & drums into a recording of jazz standards & improvisations.

When it comes to tap dancing, music lovers naturally think of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. Although no longer as popular as it was in the first half of the 20th century, tap dancing still takes place in Broadway shows. The percussive form of expression with the fast rhythmic leg movements is the specialty of Viennese musician Thomas Marek, who is one of the most sought-after tap dancers in Europe. The 52-year-old choreographer and percussionist took up this tradition several years ago and performs his expressive dance art in many theater shows.

Together with pianist Patrick Bebelaar and bassist Jan Roder, Marek has now integrated tap dance, percussion and drums into an LP recording that includes selected jazz standards as well as expressive improvisations. "Footprints" is the name of the music recorded in Vienna in spring 2024, which we are now presenting as an LP as part of our vinyl edition.

Well-known standards such as "Tea For Two" and "Softly As In The Morning Sunrise" can be heard alongside emotionally charged ballads by Bebelaar and rhythmically complex improvisations by Thomas Marek.

The result is "Footprints", a musical kaleidoscope with elements ranging from swing to free, recorded by three first-class musicians. Pianist Bebelaar has worked for many years with trumpeter Herbert Joos and French tuba player Michel Godard and is also an expressive composer. Bassist Jan Roder is an integral part of the Berlin jazz scene and bandleader Thomas Marek can be heard on this LP both as a drummer and as a tap dancer.

Track Listing

Searching For an answer Medley: Softly as in the Morning Sunrise / My one and only Love Movement #1 The River leads to You Movement #2 Whisper Not Movement #3 Reflections in Your Eyes Movement #4 Movement #5 Tea for Two