Food Foragers
Alan Purves & Mark Lotz: An Emotional Roller Coaster of Imagination
Food Foragers
Alan Gunga Purves
toy carroussels, wee shakers, sruti boxes, dadabells, hemarimbas, claxons, toy horns, brim bram, balacone, bones, whirlie pipes, tin whistles, clock chimes, frame drum, wee frying pans, etc
Mark Lotz
piccolo, c-, alto-, bass-, pvc contra bass flutes, Indian Bansuri, prepared flute, voice, bird/game calls, fx
A musical encounter between two free spirits at the height of their artistry. Alan Purves’ percussion and surprising sound objects meet Mark Lotz’s flute family and electronic textures. Together, they embark on a quest for reinvention—music that is sensual, moving, and utterly original.
Purves and Lotz are masters of emotional storytelling. They guide the audience through a whirlwind of feelings, offering glimpses of one emotion before surprising with another. Their performances spark both tears and laughter, captivating listeners with their playful unpredictability.
Their music brims with imagination, free from conventions, always balancing on the edge of discovery.
Collaborations and Background
Purves and Lotz have a long history of collaboration, working together in Lotz Of Music, Global Village Orchestra, and the Kamil Erdem Quartet, as well as recording duets on two Lotz Of Music albums. Both artists have also released critically acclaimed solo CDs, showcasing their individual mastery.
Performances
The duo has graced stages at renowned events such as the Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour, Vers Festival, Offene Ohren München, Grounds, and Jazz Festival Amsterdam. They’ve also composed and performed live scores for early French experimental films by Jean Epstein and Man Ray at the Eye Museum in Amsterdam.
Concerts often feature solo sets by Lotz or performances with Purves’ alter ego, Gunga, and are sometimes complemented by workshops or masterclasses.
Special Guests
The Lotz/Purves Duo has collaborated with exceptional artists, including:
- Gonçalo Lopes (clarinets)
- Jörg Brinkmann (cello)
- Alfredo Genovesi (guitar, analog effects)
- Anton Goudsmit (guitar)
- Leszek Hefi Wiśniowski (flute)
- Pau Sola Masafrets (cello)
- Kenzo Kusuda (dance)
Immerse yourself in a performance where boundaries dissolve, imagination reigns, and music speaks directly to the heart.
On Concerts:
Offene Ohren (Germany)
“They tell an insane story.”
Jazznu (On Jazzfest Amsterdam)
“Created perhaps the most surprising performance of the day.”
WAZ (Germany)
“A royal pleasure as anything else by Mark Alban Lotz and Alan Gunga Purves, who made the jazz carousel spin.”
Freie Klänge
“Completely new listening experience and imagination. Mysterious gentle melodies … What can be heard, however, is an almost spiritual experience: … “
Draai Om Je Oren (The Netherlands)
“With ears wide open they demonstrated that pure improvisation is exciting. Melodious music, swinging fragments were interspersed with contemplative moments. I do not know whether to continue in a solid trio. If yes, then I recommend the few remaining serious jazz venues to book this trio instantaneously.”
On The CD Food Foragers:
KRO Passagio (The Netherlands)
“Hypnotic as Sirens. Haunting music!“
Longplay (Poland)
“Takes us to an alternative reality, created by music we have never known before.
His Voice (Czech Republic)
“Full of imagination and full-hearted emotions.”
The Whole Note (Canada)
“Intriguing!”
All About Jazz (USA)
“Let’s see—Campfire music? Check. Star gazing music? Check. Dance music? Check. Dream music? Check. Road music? Check. That’s Food Foragers.“
Band Members
Mark Lotz
Alan Purves
