New York City and Graz based drummer Chris Smith debuts his new band Musikautomat. Featuring Jure Pukl (Slovenia) tenor sax, David DeJesus (USA) alto sax, Christopher Pawluk (Austria) guitar, Peter Slavov (Bulgaria/USA) bass, and Valerie Costa (Austria) voice this international band plays music that is dynamic and full of energy.

"The idea behind Musikautomat is to take favorite songs from other genres and reimagine them in a contemporary jazz setting. Our debut at Porgy, as well as our subsequent album, will feature songs from the "grunge rock" era of the 1990's. During those years I was so inspired by the guitar riffs and energy of Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains while simultaneously being inspired by the improvisation, dynamics, and arrangements of jazz groups led by artists such as Brian Blade and Kurt Rosenwinkel. The music that Musikautomat performs combines these worlds and is best described as - Contemporary Jazz with a Rock and Roll Soul. The music is not corny weird swing versions of great rock songs, but rather new versions that keep the original song's spirit intact while introducing different grooves, energy, and more space for improvisation." - Chris Smith