Constantly Moving Happiness Machines is an international collaboration featuring fresh and wonky grooves, long form compositions, exploratory free improvisations and a dash of political commentary. Co-led by German-Canadian saxophonist Jonathan Lindhorst and Welsh bassist Huw V Williams, these two musicians have been friends and creative collaborators since first meeting at a workshop in Salzburg, Austria in 2008. For nearly 15 years since, the two have performed regularly with each other in different bands across Germany and the UK, finally forming the ensemble in late 2019 with the inclusion of British pianist Mark Pringle and Austrian drummer Max Santner. 

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Brought together by a shared love of such contemporary experimental jazz artists as Craig Taborn, Tony Malaby, and Kris Davis, Constantly Moving Happiness Machines is an exploratory quartet that combines elements of free improvisation, traditional jazz, and Contemporary New Music with a strong sense of for singable melodies and infectious grooves.

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An initial attempt was made by the group to tour in 2020, plans were was foiled by the Covid pandemic, and it was only through dedication to their shared creative vision that the band continued to develop. Recorded in Berlin October 2020, narrowly avoiding having the project scuttled once again before the second European lockdown, they are excited to announce the release of the group’s self-titled debut album for December 2nd, 2022. 

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Their first single, Lindhorst’s composition Rise of the Grumbletonians, will be released for streaming on October 21st. An archaic term from the 17th century, a ‘Grumbletonian’ historically referred to one whom was dissatisfied with the government and would ‘grumble’ about it, taking the first steps towards protest and revolution, a relatable sentiment in today’s political climate. On November 11th, they will follow up with the release of their second single, Williams composition Venito’s Bell and Phone, which is a celebration of eccentric musicians such as Tom Waits and Thelonious Monk.

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The diverse, yet complimentary compositional styles of Lindhorst and Williams will be on full display. Both are influenced by twelve-tone contemporary music, and Lindhorst in particular makes great use of the Tone Clock Theory system, which informs his pieces Constantly Moving Happiness Machines (a Tone Clock reduction of a Charlie Parker blues ‘Cheryl’), Gummi-Bear, (a swinging tribute to Ornette Coleman) and the introspective ballad Night Melody. Williams’ contributions also include November Tune, a meditation and on the dark months, and the beautifully reflective ballad Westerbroom, which evokes Wayne Shorter’s classic tune ‘Nefertiti’. Included on the album is a cover version of famed New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod’s piano composition Tone Clock Piece I.

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A short, sharp, concentrated blast of an album, ‘Constantly Moving Happiness Machines’ presents a programme of powerful compositions, played impeccably by some of Europe’s finest musicians. Despite the challenges that Brexit and Covid have created for international projects, this ensemble shows that cultural exchange, shared creativity, and friendship between the creative scenes of Germany, the UK, and Canada is alive and well. 

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For booking inquiries contact:
Jonathan Lindhorst: info@jonathanlindhorst.com
Huw V Williams: huwvwilliams@gmail.com
Website: www.jonathanlindhorst.com/constantlymovinghappinessmachines

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Jonathan Lindhorst - tenor sax
Mark Pringle - piano

​Huw V. Williams - bass
Max Santner - drums

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