Bop Explosion
The Formation
“Together with Uli Langthaler (b), Johannes Probst (tp) , first Mario Gonzi and now Dusan Novakov (dr) we played a string of concerts with the great American altosaxophonist Allan Praskin. Such great moments of playing together let me decide to start our own musical project. At the wonderful Jazzclub „Zwe“ I heard the very young altosaxophonist Márton Papp and after jamming together I knew I have found the ideal voice to complete our group. Having the opportunity to play with those exceptional musicians, who are otherwise very busy with their own groups, gigs and teaching Jazz, I also have found the ideal inspirations to compose. The result can be heard on our CD „Waltz For Serena“, recorded at Dukatton Studio and released on Alessa Records.”
Gerhard Schramke, Vienna 2024
Our music
The basis for our music is bebop, but our repertoire extends far beyond that. Our live shows include standards of modern jazz, latin jazz, ballads and
many originals. Our motto is to guarantee listening pleasure at a very high level.
Out now:
Bop Explosion – SIMMERING
Capricorn Music 2026
Musicians
Johannes Probst
Born 1980 in Linz, he first studied at the „Bruckner Conservatorium“ with Allan Praskin, then master studies at the 'Koninklijk Conservatorium' in The Hague and at the 'Codarts Conservatorium' in Rotterdam, among others with Ack van Rooyen. He is currently teaching jazz trumpet at Vienna Music Institute and has played with Lee Konitz, Barry Harris, Gary Smulyan, Doug Hammond, with Rein DeGraff trio and name Austrian formations like Together and Ceora.
Márton Papp
Born 2003 in Sikós (Hungary) has studied at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, at Bartók Béla Music Secondary School and after moving to Vienna, at Music and Arts University of Vienna. He has already played with international jazz greats like Jim Rotondi, Mario Gonzi, Oliver Kent, Danny Ziemann, Duke Heitger, Mátyás Bartha. Performances with Jazz Composers Ensemble Andy Middleton, Dima Kovalenko Duo.
Gerhard Schramke
Born 1959 in Vienna, he is selftaught. His first and lasting musical mentor was the late great Fritz Pauer, who called him on stage when he was only 18 . Playing at that early age with Allan Praskin, he got great inspiration for his musical future, also performing with Karl Ratzer, Paolo Cardoso and Harry Sokal, Nicolas Simion and Ingrid Jensen, for some years also electric rockjazz/funk with Hannes Meixner, who encouraged him to compose. After that collaboration he returned to acoustic jazz.
Uli Langthaler
Born 1959 in Linz, he studied bass at the Conservatory of the City of Vienna with Rudolf Hansen. He ́s currently working withTriple Ace and Worry Later, leads his own combo q ́arteto uli langthaler. He played with Leo Wright, Billy Harper, Louis Hayes, Jimmy Cobb , Buddy DeFranco, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Sinced 1990 he teaches jazz bass and ensemble at the Vienna MUK university and has done international workshops in Mexico City, Johannesburg, Peking, Bankok, Sibiu, Riga etc. .
Dusan Novakov
Born 1970 in Pancevo (Serbia). He joined till 1988 the international jazz seminar in Groznjan with Reggie Workman. After moving in Austria, he studied at the University of Music in Graz, receiving a master degree. Since 2005 he teaches at the Vienna Music Institute. He has performed with Oliver Lake, George Cables, Don Menza, Fritz Pauer, is currently playing with Triple Ace and Worry Later. Dusan Novakov is one of the most recorded drummers in Austria.
Lilijana Maljic
Born May 18, 1995 in Paracin, Serbia, studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MUK) after attending a music high school in her home country. She then studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (KUG), graduating with a Master of Arts in Jazz Vocal Performance. She has performed with Jim Rotondi, John Whitfield, Joris Dudli, Oliver Kent, Roman Schwaller, Mario Gonzi, and Andy Middleton, and has recorded her own album, "The Nearness of You," which was featured on ORF Ö1 Jazznacht.
Andi Steirer
Born 1960 near Vienna. Being an autodidact he started his musical career very early. Aged only 15 he already was a foundation member of the rockjazz-formation Ostinato. His percussive collaboration spectrum ranges from Pop stars (Falco, Ambros, Hirsch) , Jazz (Karl Ratzer, Fritz Pauer) as well as Classic singers like Angelika Kirchschlager. In 2021 he recorded his album „Trance of Noiz“.
Gallery
Videos
Bop Explosion – Tune for Pharoah | Live at Capricorn Music
23, 24 April 2024
Jazzland
Allan Praskin Quintet (feat. Johannes Probst, Gerhard Schramke, Uli Langthaler, Dusan Novakov)
25 April 2024
Jazzforum Mödling
Allan Praskin Quintet (feat. Johannes Probst, Gerhard Schramke, Uli Langthaler, Dusan Novakov)
10 October 2024
Jazzclub ZWE
Johannes Probst, Márton Papp, Gerhard Schramke, Uli Langthaler, Dusan Novakov
21 November 2024
TRIBÜNE LINZ
Johannes Probst, Márton Papp, Gerhard Schramke, Uli Langthaler, Dusan Novakov
09 Oktober 2025
Bebop
Ray Aichinger (ts), Gerhard Schramke (p), Uli Langthaler (b), Dusan Novakov (dr)
4 July 2026
Zwe
Tanja Filipovic voc., Gerhard Schramke p, Uli Langthaler b, Dușan Novakov dr.
Concerts
Because we all are very busy with different groups, we would also like to announce concerts involving our band members that might interest you:
Press
“Seeing you on wednesday, at the piano, playing bop classics, was one of the highlights of my stay in Vienna. You have the music in your blood, and it moves so effortlessly through your veins to your hands. It’s rewarding to meet a fellow bebopper – especially one so far from 52d street. Seeing such musicians as you and Oliver Kent, at Jazzclub ZWE, makes clear that music is the universal language.”
Peter Pullman, LLC, N.Y. Author oft he great book „Wail: The Life of Bud Powell“
“Das Album „Simmering“ der Wiener Formation Bop Explosion verbindet klassischen Jazz mit einer frischen, zeitgenössischen Perspektive. Mit viel Spielfreude, stilistischer Sicherheit und abwechslungsreichen Arrangements entsteht ein lebendiges und dynamisches Klangbild. So zeigt das Album eindrucksvoll, wie frisch und zeitlos Jazz traditioneller Prägung klingen kann.”
Miachael Ternai, Musica Austria
“Ein mitreißender Jazzklang klassischer Prägung, leidenschaftlich vorgetragen und mit einer ordentlichen Portion Spielfreude – genau das bringen BOP EXPLOSION auf ihrem Album „Waltz for Serena” (Alessa Records) zu Gehör.
….Zusammenfassend kann man sagen, dass Gerhard Schramke und seine Band mit „Waltz for Serena“ ein wirklich beeindruckendes Stück Jazz abliefern – eines, das sich zwar am Klassischen orientiert, aber keineswegs altbacken klingt, sondern mit lebendiger und frischer Note zu überzeugen weiß.”
Michael Ternai, Musica Austria
- Musica Austria – BOP EXPLOSION – „Waltz For Serena“, 16.09.24