The trio of Aktino Troubounis (bass), Pedro Dantas (drums), and Alexander Dubovoy (keys) delves into the vibrant world of Brazilian popular and improvised music, drawing inspiration from musicians like Nelson Cavaquinho, Milton Nascimento, and Hermeto Pascoal.
Their collaboration, born out of Dantas and Dubovoy’s twice-monthly Brazilian gig in Neukölln, breathes new life into traditional Brazilian rhythms, creating a bridge between classic samba traditions and contemporary musical interpretation and between the Brazilian and European music scenes. The trio celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Brazilian music and keeps the groove going.
To listen:
– Capigalaxia by Pedro Dantas and Alexander Dubovoy
– Solo videos by Alexander Dubovoy
– Samba do Girassol by Aki Troubounis
– Love Supremacism by Alexander Dubovoy
Bios
Aktino (Aki) Troubounis is a half German, half Greek musician who discovered his musical path through an unexpected childhood moment when he chose the double bass at age 6, much to his parents‘ surprise. Rooted in classical training and holding a biotechnology degree, Aki fully committed to music after moving to Berlin, where he emerged as a versatile bassist navigating genres from Latin American grooves to Balkan rhythms. As a core member of Haz Mevlana & Kotanouta and a sought-after session musician collaborating with artists like Updog and Barbie Williams, he’s known for his infectious stage energy and expressive performance style. Guided by mentors such as Caius Oana, Martin Lillich, and Checho Gomez, Aki continues to explore the deep, resonant world of the bass.https://aktino.myportfolio.com/bass-work
A drummer since the age of 13, Pedro Dantas was captivated by Green Day’s Basket Case music video on MTV-where the drummer shows up all messed up, throws crazy fast fi lls, and pours a ton of energy into the music. From that moment, drums and music became one and the same for him. After more than 20 years of playing mostly for fun with friends across different styles, he is now focused on organizing music sessions and performing live in Berlin. One of these sessions, Zumzum, is dedicated to Brazilian music, bringing in guests from around the world who share a passion for its rhythms. Another project, Kumpel Sessions, is a duo with a cellist, where they collaborate with musicians from various genres across the Berlin scene. Currently, he is working on his first EP, shaped from early morning sketches that evolve into songs shared with friends and collaborators. His drumming is all about supporting the song and pushing emotions to the extreme
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Alexander Dubovoy is a Berlin-based pianist, singer, and composer. He graduated from Yale University in May 2016, where he wrote an award-winning thesis on the history of jazz in the Soviet Union. Since graduating, he has performed at storied international venues, including the Cornelia Street Cafe in NYC, Donau115 in Berlin, Rakuya Label in Tokyo, etc. His solo album Portraits Drawn Without You has garnered over 8 million streams on Spotify. He currently works for Groupmuse, a cooperative arts organization with a social mission to ensure fair pay for musicians. His work has been featured by the New York Times, NPR, the Boston Globe, and YaleNews . https://www.alexanderdubovoy.com/
