Bio
Tal Sandman
Lead Guitar
Born in 1988, Tal Sandman lives in Jaffa, a city by which she is constantly inspired. Sandman researches sounds, rhythms and melodies from around the globe. "Listening to music from different cultures and styles gives birth to creation. It's like assembling a puzzle made of recycled, scattered pieces, and there are endless ways of connecting each piece to create a brand new, beautiful image." Sandman's style is inspired by world music. Her style of picking the guitar and employing the tremolo technique are influenced by the way an Oud or Bouzouki are strummed, while string-stretching is influenced by the Sitar and Sarod. Sandman incorporates grooves from all over the world, and cares deeply about moving her audience and allowing them to connect with her to the whole of humanity.
First album “Royal Family” was released in 2018 in the London based label “Batov Records”.
In April 2023 recorded their second album that is about to be released in October 2023 also in “Batov Records”.
Paule Lüders
trumpet
Paul-Friedrich Lüders is a trumpet player based in Leipzig whose musical background spans jazz, funk, sacred music, and big band traditions. With an open-minded approach to style and sound, he values adaptability and collaboration, always curious to explore new musical worlds.
He has been a member of the Jugend Jazz Orchester Sachsen for several years and is currently studying music education at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig. In addition to his work with the Sandman Project, he performs and writes for The Keeds, a band blending Soul, Pop and Funk, and is a founding member of The BigBand Messenger e.V.
In the Sandman Project, Paul-Friedrich combines a warm acoustic trumpet tone with subtle electronic effects, aiming to support the collective energy of the music. For him, playing live is about sharing emotion and connecting with people — across styles, borders, and cultures.
Linus Haagen
keyboard, trombone
Linus Haagen, born in Hamburg in 1994, is a jazz pianist, composer,
arranger and teacher. He studied jazz piano in Osnabrück from 2017-2019
with Pablo Held, Florian Weber and Thomas Rückert, among others. Since
2019, he has also been studying jazz piano and music education in
Leipzig with Stephan König and Steffen Greisiger.
He is active as a bandleader and pianist in various band projects. He
leads the jazz quartet qubur, writes the music for this band and won the
POP Impuls Prize for international collaborations in 2023. He also works
with Moritz Klatt as bandleader and composer for the band Milonaut and
won the Colabo competition in 2022. He plays keyboards and synthesizer
with backmars, Sandman Project and lava yourself.
He regularly performs at the piano with actress and author Blanche
Kommerell for readings.
In 2022 he wrote the theater music for a production of the play “RAND”
by Miroslava Svolikova. Since then he has been involved in various
theater productions, most recently in early 2024 as pianist for “Bitte
erwarten Sie nicht Lohengrin” at the HfMT Hamburg.
In addition to his artistic activities, he teaches piano in Leipzig.
Website: linushaagen.de
Gregor Nicolai
bass
Gregor Nicolai, born and raised in Berlin, began learning the electric bass and drums at the age of 9. He already played in various bands in his youth. From 2015 to 2017, he completed a preparatory course at the “Paul Hindemith” music school in Berlin. He then began studying jazz electric bass at the conservatory in Leipzig "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" which he successfully completed in 2024. He currently works with the bands Milonaut, Lukas y su Banda, Keebo, Lacey Flea and the Kardamom Kollektiv. Mainly, he conducts and composes for his own band OLUMA. Besides that, he works as a sound engineer and Dj.
André van der Heide
drums
André van der Heide, born and raised in Berlin, studied jazz drums at the Franz Liszt University of Music in Weimar and at the Maastricht Conservatory. He plays in numerous ensembles that range from jazz to world music, contemporary music, and pop music. With the percussion ensemble “Catapora,” he won first prize in the state competition Jugend Musiziert in 2010. André has been on international concert tours with various projects, such as Muito Kaballa, the "Fringe Orchestra," at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2019 or Jong Metropole Orkest featuring Becca Stevens, Jamison Ross and Michael League. In 2021 he formed his own band OLUMA for which he is also composing. In addition to his work as an artist and composer, André also works as a drum and percussion teacher.
Felix Stade
congas, percussion
Felix Stade is a live drummer, percussionist, and recording artist from Kiel, Germany. Whether on stage or in the studio, he collaborates on a wide variety of musical projects — always seeking new connections and creative exchanges.
He played drums for the nigerian Afro-fusion artist Villy and the Xtreme Volumes and contributed percussion to some Soulport Records productions, including a collaboration with american blues and jazz musician Tommie Harris. For over six years, Felix has been performing with his own band Fusion Talks, and he is also a current member of Good Time Gang, a cross-border ensemble with members based in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
In addition to his work as a performer, Felix runs a small recording studio. There, he produces music for both, his own projects and other artists.
WHERE DID YOU GO? album members
Tal Eyal
Percussion
Tal Eyal is a percussionist and music researcher based in Jaffa, whose work is deeply influenced by the multicultural sounds of Israel and beyond.
Eyal’s approach to percussion is rooted in a diverse array of global styles, from Afro-Cuban rhythms and Middle Eastern grooves to the experimental sounds of 70s psychedelic music. His projects reflect his passion for blending traditional techniques with contemporary sounds. "Percussion is more than rhythm," says Eyal. "It's about connecting stories across cultures to create something unique."
Eyal is a member of Satellites, a Turkish psychedelic band signed to Batov Records. With the group, he has toured extensively across Europe, including performances at the Transmusicales Festival in Rennes and a session for Radio KEXP, fulfilling a long-time dream. In addition, Eyal is part of Palamakia, a duo inspired by Greek, Moroccan, Yemeni, and Arabic musical traditions, drawing from his upbringing in Israel's richly diverse neighborhoods. His versatility also extends to street and stage performances with the energetic Tzaftzafa Brass Band, known for its fusion of Balkan, hip-hop, and Arab influences.
A lifelong learner and teacher, Eyal has lectured on rhythm and percussion, including his course, "The DNA of Groove," at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. His passion for exploring the roots and evolution of percussion continues to shape his vibrant and multifaceted career.
Tal Avraham
Trumpet
Trumpet player located in Jerusalem and is outspreading her voice in many different and colorful projects. over time, Sandman Project became Avraham's 'electric sound effects playground' something that goes hand in hand with her lyrical and soulful acoustic trumpet sound and with her approach to music which combines a rich language of improvisation based on freedom and groove, as can be heard in latest collaborations with leading Israeli musicians: Eyal Talmudi quintet, Kutiman Orchestra and Neta Elkayam to name a few.
Noam Cherchie
Drums
Born 1987, Tel Aviv based drummer and percussionist.
Specialize in afro and black rhythms ranging from hip hop and jazz to West, East and North African roots.
Noam is working as a demand drummer for various artists and has been part of many projects in the Tel Aviv modern music scene.
As well leading and composing for his own projects such as ‘’TAILS’’ - a Neo soul and jazz group based in Tel Aviv.
Noam took part in a wide range of projects and artists such as : ‘’TESFA’’ with the Ethiopian born saxophone player Abate Berihun, Yoni Meyraz, ‘’TZUNAMI’’ quartet, the Israeli folklore singer and composer Lea shabbat and many more.