The three internationally sought-after musicians first met in 2003 in Cologne and have been working in different bands together ever since. After some years of touring and intense studies in Germany and abroad they founded the band East Drive.

Vitaliy Zolotov
is winner of the audience award at the 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival (with rare standing ovations and rhythmical applause). The Ukrainian-born guitarist is an exceptional appearance on every stage; German journalists recently compared him with Till Brönner, thanks to his dynamic and congenial way of performing. He was invited as a guest in the bands of Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sara Gazarek and Roland Peil (Fanta 4).

As a composer, Zolotov writes potential hits - according to the press his music is "haunting, groovy, swinging and to be loved".

Philipp Bardenberg
is a sought-after musician and producer in all of Europe. He toured and produced albums with Clueso, Vanilla Ninja, Tom Gäbel and John Sutherland. Being deeply experienced in the styles of rock / pop as well as jazz music, his compositions and playing is often asked for TV shows and movies. His strong, energetic, yet sensitive and creative performance on the electric bass make him one of the most interesting musicians in the world.

Bodek Janke
the polish-born drummer and percussionist has been dubbed "outstanding", "a master of many dialects" and "truly among the good ones" by international journalists (i.e. Jazzpages). During his six-year long stay in New York City he had the opportunity to work with Dave Liebman, Billy Harper, Ben Monder and Dave Binney, among others. The list of venues he performed at includes: Carnegie Hall, Iridium, 55 Bar, The Knitting Factory (NYC), The Kennedy Center (DC), Schloss Elmau, Moers Jazz Festival, Moscow State Opera, Philharmonies in Essen, Almaty, Cologne and Warsaw, Porgy & Bess Vienna. In the year 2008 he was awarded the “Jazzpreis Baden-Württemberg”, Germanyʼs highest-endowed award for jazz musicians. In 2010 he was voted “Best Soloist of the Year” at the “New German Jazz Award” - competition and he won the the first prize at the “4th International Bucharest Jazz Competition”. Bodek Janke is a regular guest member in numerous ensembles, i.e. the WDR Bigband (Cologne).

Olivia Trummer
is an acclaimed German artist who has received numerous international awards and high recognition in both the classical and the jazz field.

Each of her productions (three CDs, one LP) were recommended as "CD of the month" in German professional journals such as "Stereoplay" and "Rondo-Magazin". Her second album, "Westwind", won the "German Critics' Choice Award 2008". In the year 2010 she received a scholarship of the "Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg" and a music award of the "Bruno-Frey- Foundation" and was debuting at the "Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele" - festival, performing a mixed repertoire of classical piano works, improvised jazz and originals in front of a sold out concert hall.

Olivia Trummer performed both as a classical, jazz pianist and vocalist at: Carnegie Hall (NYC), Schloss Elmau, Liederhalle Stuttgart, Jazzfestivals in Prague, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Dresden, Wroclaw and in Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, The Netherlands and Russia.