Home » Jazz Musicians » Florian Arbenz

Florian Arbenz

Florian Arbenz has been doing tours, concerts and CD-productions as lead with, Kirk Lightsey, Greg Osby, Glenn Ferris, Wolfgang Puschnig, Bennie Maupin, Matthieu Michel, Claudio Pontiggia and others. In classical music he has worked as percussionist in numerous concerts and festivals (Luzerner Festspiele, Basler Musik Forum, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival), among others with Heinz Holliger, Kent Nagano and Paul Sacher. Further, he staged in solo concerts in Europe and South America. In 2000 Florian Arbenz received the European Award of Culture (supporting his engagement in jazz and classical music).

Arbenz / Krijger / Osby: Conversation #9: Targeted

Read "Conversation #9: Targeted" reviewed by Chris May

by Chris May
March 22, 2023

This mind-bending album skewers any notion that modern-day organ trios are all unimaginative bores churning out reheated cliches lifted from Blue Note and Prestige albums of the 1950s and '60s. With that stereotype in mind, one would hesitate to apply the term “organ trio" to the collaborative group on Targeted. But its instigator, the Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz, uses the description in his liner notes when introducing Hammond organist Arno Krijger. Arbenz actually calls the band a ...

Album Review

Arbenz X Vistel / Moutin: Conversation #4 (Vulcanized)

Read "Conversation #4 (Vulcanized)" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
February 28, 2022

Prompted by the pandemic, drummer and percussionist Florian Arbenz has set out to document 12 Conversations with musicians invited into his Basel, Switzerland recording studio. Conversation #1: Condensed was a trio with Brazilian guitarist Nelson Veras and American trumpeter Hermon Mehari. Conversation #2 & #3 found Arbenz with British vibraphonist Jim Hart and Swiss bassist Jim Hart. Here we have the drummer teaming up with French bassist François Moutin and Cuban also saxophonist Maikel Vistel, who collaborates with the drummer ...

Album Review

Arbenz, Hart, Känzig: Conversation #2: Oracle / Conversation #3: Neologism

Read "Conversation #2: Oracle / Conversation #3: Neologism" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
October 3, 2021

While much of the world was in lockdown and many musicians didn't have a chance to play live, Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz found a way to keep his creative juices flowing. He envisioned a series of twelve albums, each featuring musical conversations between a different group of musicians. Conversation #1: Condensed (Hammer 2021) featured guitar, trumpet, and drums. Conversation # 2: Oracle and Conversation # 3: Neologism presents different musical lineups together in a two-album package. Arbenz is ...

Album Review

Arbenz, Mehari, Veras: Conversation #1: Condensed

Read "Conversation #1: Condensed" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
May 18, 2021

One of the most appealing aspects in jazz is the interplay among musicians in a group. There is usually a continuous musical conversation occurring during any given session, which adds an element of spontaneity. Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz is concentrating on this concept of conversation in his upcoming releases, beginning with Conversation #1: Condensed. Arbenz has established himself as one of the foremost drummers in Europe. He has recorded and performed with numerous artists during his career, including ...

Florian Arbenz is arguably one of the best drummers in Europe and winner of the European Culture Award for his dedication in the field of jazz and classical music. He effortlessly masters all styles of drumming, his solos tell soft, loud and incredibly exciting stories...- Peter Michael Bluhm, Augsburger Allgemeine

I have rarely heard jazz musicians of the younger generation play with such passion and drive!... very highly recommended! - Wolfgang Giese, Rocktimes

Nice Work, get it! A trio with a thrilling creativity! - Rolling Stone

Vein..., one of the most enthusiastic and interesting piano trios in recent years..