Knudsen-Muntz-Amendola Trio
The Knudsen-Muntz-Amendola Trio unites three of the Bay Area's most adventurous creative forces in the classic saxophone-bass-drums format. Their shared goal: dig deep, lock into the pocket, embrace creative exploration, and welcome the audience into their musical conversation.
Kasey Knudsen brings her alto saxophone voice that's been dubbed "one of the region's most esteemed" by critics. A Berklee-trained composer and educator, she's collaborated with innovative artists from Tune-Yards to Fred Frith, developing a sound that's spacious, lyrical, and rooted in storytelling. Her music leaves room to breathe, creating performances that feel alive and emotionally honest. She's been featured in Paste Magazine's "10 Female Instrumentalists Who Redefine Jazz" and has received commissions from San Jose Jazz and InterMusic SF.
Mat Muntz approaches the bass from his background in jazz improvisation while exploring microtonal territories and experimental performance practice. His work seeks unlikely connections between disparate musical worlds, creating unconventional orchestrations that span North America, Europe, and Asia. Beyond conventional bass, Muntz also incorporates instruments like bagpipe and primorski meh into his sonic palette.
Scott Amendola brings over three decades of genre-bending percussion mastery to the kit. Known for his technical virtuosity and ability to fuse jazz with funk, rock, and experimental music, he's collaborated with artists like Nels Cline, Charlie Hunter, and Jenny Scheinman while exploring live electronic manipulation. His drumming is described as playful and fearless, anchoring the trio's explorations.
This trio format has deep roots in jazz history, and these three musicians carry that torch while pushing into contemporary experimental territory. Expect music that grooves and stretches, with deep listening and strong rhythmic foundations providing the framework for spontaneous musical conversations. Their approach balances creative risk-taking with the intimate connection that makes the saxophone-bass-drums format so enduring.