Album release: Felix Hauptmann: PERCUSSION III

Felix Hauptmann and his trio will release their new album “PERCUSSION III” on 17 April

Felix Hauptmann, pianist, composer, and part of the currently youngest NICA generation (2024) has always stood out as distinguished composer and team player, who has a tendency towards the complex, while connected to the self. His play is clever and sharp, strongly embedded into the everchanging context. Leading with intricacy and passion, Hauptmann is also an in-demand side man, for the projects of e.g. Phil Donkin, Eva Klesse, Fabian Dudek or Kira Linn.

Observing Hauptmann in conversation on stage is formidable as he weighs his words, or rather tones and notes, carefully in measure to what he is sonically told by his companions - not knowing where the road will lead. His compositions: a strict structure imagined with freedom in mind, acting as a tool for the liberation of ideas continuously flowing through the means of improvisation.

Following this incentive is his long-standing trio PERCUSSION with Leif Berger on drums and Roger Kintopf completing the group on double bass. With their now third album under the leadership of Hauptmann, PERCUSSION demonstrates a kinship in sound that has grown into its own.

This album is an invitation to reflect on both the expectations and listening experiences of a familiar orchestration of acoustic instruments. Our third album with acoustic instrumentation continues our process of combining detailed compositions with the trio’s culture of free improvisation. The idea is to create sonic spaces that allow for a constant tension between limitation and freedom, uncertainty and playfulness. Roger Kintopf, Leif Berger and I have been coming together for over six years now to explore ourselves in these spheres. My ambition is to make music that is filled with love and warmth; it is a never-ending search for ways to express playfulness, uncertainty and acceptance through sound. As the world becomes increasingly unhinged, I hope that this album offers calm and creates a place where time can be experienced differently.

The release concert to celebrate the upcoming album will take place as part of the NICA live-series on the 21st of May, 2026. Find more info and tickets here.

PERCUSSION III is available on bandcamp. You can also find the release on all common streaming platforms.
To support musicians and the music scene, who are creating under precarious circumstances, we advice to directly buy the album from the artist/label and purchase physicals and merch.

Album Credits

All compositions by Felix Hauptmann
Recorded by Lukas Lohner 
Mix & Master by Christian Heck
Cover Design by Severin Koller
Typeface by Studio Feixen

Supported by IFM e.V., Kulturamt der Stadt Köln & NICA artist development 

Released by Unit Records, 17th April 2026

Musicians on PERCUSSION III:

Felix Hauptmann - piano
Roger Kintopf - double bass
Leif Berger - drums