FUSION POINT TRIO. 10 years with listeners.
About Fusion Point Trio
Fusion Point Trio was established by the pianist and composer Kirill Sokirko in 2009. The project was conceived as an instrumental chamber ensemble that continues the traditions of performing in trio format and performs original music. The initial make-up of the trio was highly focused on a jazz environment – piano, bass guitar and drums. In 2011, following a series of concerts at clubs in St. Petersburg, Fusion Point Trio took part in international festivals in Russia and Europe. Fusion Point Trio also features in programmes as a guest ensemble together with the Smolny Cathedral Chamber Chorus, and in early 2012, it released its debut album – Morning Rain which was well received by international critics. That same year saw Fusion Point Trio's first full-length solo concert which was recorded in DVD format.

In 2013, Fusion Point Trio began to appear with guest musicians and recorded a second disc – Mind and Illusion. The ensemble was joined by Roman Zastavny (double bass), and the trio began to collaborate with the Mariinsky Theatre. The chamber halls of the new stage (the Mariinsky II) host new programmes and there are successful subscription-series concerts.
In 2017, Fusion Point Trio released the album-suite Circles of Time – the ensemble's third studio release. In addition to their work in the studio, the musicians are frequently engaged in experiments concerning the synthesis of the arts. For example, they came up with the idea of a special programme where the musical material included verse by 20th century poets – that proved to be a highly successful combination of poetry and music.
From 2017 to 2019 the musicians have significantly increased their repertoire – for the first time at their concerts there were included original works in major form as well as arrangements of works by classical composers. The trio on several occasions has involved Mariinsky Theatre soloists in its programmes. During this period their first two albums were re-released – the sound was remastered taking current trends into account, and in 2020 released a collection of the best compositions («The Best»). This release is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Fusion Point Trio. At the end of 2020, the ensemble won the Grand Prix at the international competition in Finland World Music Art - Alppiruusu Suomi.
The musicians work between several sub-genres, including modern-jazz, classical crossover, smooth-jazz,
jazz-rock and even some older genres like cool, be-bop, and mainstream/swing. However, some critics
would say the ensemble's styles is better described as modern-jazz and post-fusion.
Despite the various styles inherent in their compositions,
Fusion Point Trio’s music mainly centers around melodicism, with a sharp definition of musical form. This underscores
their background in classical music, and makes their arrangements more accessible and transparent, while the
improvisation so characteristic of jazz takes secondary importance. The concept of each composition is to be
arranged in such a way to be accessible to most listeners. At the same time, the public’s reaction to the music
helps the musicians grow and to set new priorities when working on material. The direction of Fusion Point Trio’s music
has been influenced by a number of bands, such as Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Hiromi Uehara, Michel Petrucciani, Niacin,
Marcus Miller, and many others.
The musicians of Fusion Point Trio participate in programmes of contemporary music not just in jazz venues but at St. Petersburg's concert halls as well, among them the Great Hall of the Philharmonic, the Small Hall of the Conservatoire, the Concert and Exhibition Hall of Smolny Cathedral and the Mariinsky Theatre.
Fusion Point Trio is:
Kirill Sokirko - piano, author of all music
Roman Zastavnyi - double bass
Roman Smirnov - drums
