Happenstance

Zdeněk Tománek (CZ): Tenor/Soprano Saxophone
Noé Sécula (FR): Piano
Tommy Fuller (UK): Bass
Lluís Pérez-Villegas (ES): Drums

Defined as “Chance, especially when it results in something good” – the name Happenstance points to both the origins and approach of this new European four-piece.

Having discovered an instant connection during a chance jam session towards the end of 2021, the group continued to meet, play, and develop their sound almost every day for the following 6 months. The mutual trust that resulted from this period is essential to theirnconcept of finding freedom and taking risks whenever they play.

Initially united by their love for the music of Wayne Shorter and The Beatles, they carefully assembled a repertoire encompassing their favourite composers in addition to jazz standards and compositions by each band member. They were lucky enough to workshop and refine their music with Mark Turner, Larry Grenadier and Ambrose Akinmusire amongst others, whilst studying at the prestigious Jazzcampus in Basel and have enjoyed a great reception on their premiere U.K. tour in 2023, as well as their 2024 French tour which included an evening set at Jazz en Place - a renowned festival in Dinan.

Happenstance brings together four distinct voices in European jazz, each flavoured by their home nations of France, Spain, Czech Republic, and the UK respectively.