Christian Pabst

German pianist and (film-) composer Christian Pabst is a true storyteller. While being deeply rooted and connected to the greats of jazz, Christian developed an original, strong and genre transcending voice as a pianist and composer. Finding inspiration not only in the arts but also in travelling and everyday life, his radiant music is very visual and inspires your imagination. “I want to create music that speaks to the heart and the mind alike” says the pianist. Growing up in a small German village close to the French border, Christian always listened as a kid to his brother playing their 1980’s home organ. He also wanted to play music and started to take piano lessons. Later, when he heard the local youth bigband for the first time, he felt instantly connected to jazz and improvisation. His thirst for knowledge and understanding of music led him to study jazz piano and film music at the renowned conservatories of Amsterdam, Paris and Copenhagen. Now, he’s playing concerts all over the world. Christian’s lyricism unfolds itself beautifully on his acclaimed records. The debut Days of Infinity (Challenge Records Int.) features the excellent trumpet player Gerard Presencer and was hailed by the international press. Jazzwise, the biggest British jazz magazine gave 4 stars and drew comparisons with EST. The follow-up Song of Opposites extends the trio beautifully with an international top-ensemble of strings, horns and voice. The unique sound of Christian’s writing for large ensemble reminded the press of “a small version of the Metropole Orchestra” (Jazzflits) and others thought Song of Opposites was “the most beautiful record of the year“ (Musenblätter). His release “Inner Voice”, mixed and mastered by ECM sound engineer Jan Erik Kongshaug, is described as a “surrender to the beauty of music” by All About Jazz USA. In 2021, Christian will release his fourth album as a leader: “Balbec”. Appreciated by his colleagues for his dedication and open-mindedness, Christian lends his strong musical voice to selected projects, amongst others the Copenhagen based Lubos Soukup Quartet who recently recorded their new album with the incredible guitarist Lionel Loueke. When he is not playing the piano, Christian is busy composing film scores and arranging. Many movies that he scored were awarded with prizes and are being screened all over the world. Recently, the short movie Dancin’ the Camera was nominated for the Dutch Oscar. As an arranger, Christian worked for a wide range of ensembles, a.o.

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Christian Pabst Christian Pabst Trio + 7 Christian Pabst Trio piano modern jazz jazz piano trio Amsterdam Perugia

Album Review

Inner Voice by Don Phipps

Interview

Christian Pabst: Il momento del cambiamento

"Brillant and deeply emotional" Musenblätter, Germany

"Pabst is a virtuoso on his instrument." Der Kultur Blog, Germany

"Poetic, introverted and with great intimacy (…) deep, sophisticated but never over-complicated jazz aesthetics" Soultrainonline.de

"a mysterious soundworld whose fundament is an intriguing balance between composition and improvisation" wegotmusic.de

"Days of Infinity is the group’s debut disc, and it resonates with the sound of a group that knows what it’s about. (...) On the disc, the trio functions impressively as a driving rhythm section. Days of Infinity sets the bar high for future recordings from this accomplished German trio. I’ll be keen to hear what Pabst, Andres and Klein do for an encore." Ottawa Citizen, Canada

"Brillant and deeply emotional" Musenblätter, Germany

"Pabst is a virtuoso on his instrument." Der Kultur Blog, Germany

"Poetic, introverted and with great intimacy (…) deep, sophisticated but never over-complicated jazz aesthetics" Soultrainonline.de

"a mysterious soundworld whose fundament is an intriguing balance between composition and improvisation" wegotmusic.de

"4 stars **** - Twentysomething German pianist Christian Pabst is a talent to watch and this is the debut release from his trio. Despite their comparative youth, they have been playing together for a decade - and it shows. The sparse accompanying booklet doesn't give much information, but it does contain a Herbie Hancock quote - "Life is not about finding our limitations, it's about finding our infinities" - which captures something of the optimistic, consciousness-enhancing quality of the trio's sound and texture: there's a sensibility at work here that's reminiscent of EST in their heyday." Jazzwise, UK

"Beautiful compositions with master musicians accompanying – this and more can be heard on the wonderful CD simply titled Days of Infinity, the new recording by pianist/composer Christian Pabst. The Christian Pabst trio has more than proven that they are not ordinary in any way. The music they create is far more than a multi-layer jam session. They work as a cohesive unit with each knowing exactly what note to play next without ever speaking a word among themselves. It is wonderful." Birmingham Times, USA

"...their new album Days Of Infinity is a real treat bursting with new twists on old ideas. “A Poet’s Path” is one of the better amalgamations of hip hop with organic jazz I’ve heard from anyone." Something Else Reviews

"The Christian Pabst Trio have with Days Of Infinity put together an album full of captivating ideas and interesting structures that will appeal to a broad cross section of jazz lovers everywhere." Sea of Tranquility - Music for the new intellectual

"Days Of Infinity is a mature debut, on which Pabst wrote all but one song himself, shows he is a promising composer and musician." Jazzmozaïek, Netherlands

"Indeed, I am thrilled with the music embodied on “Days of Infinity”! Why, because I love the piano as the lead instrument. As I hear it, this apparatus forces the artist to score music regardless of scale with power, humility and grace effortlessly without fear as they blend composition, playing ability and arranging skills together with a sense of creativity and inventiveness. Pianist Christian Pabst has done so brilliantly with this amazing recording" The Urbanflux Music Blog

"well-honed and empathic ensemble work!" Living Scotsman, Scotland

"Yes, Pabst is one of those interesting players that you really have to keep an ear on. Still under 30, he plays like your fave black, piano jazzmen of the late 50s but he does it with an edge that lands somewhere between hippie and pomo. ("Days of Infinity") A sweet as pie set of sitting down jazz, it brings high energy in it’s wake and there’s certainly no dust on it. A little too hot to be cool jazz, it’s right in the pocket for some solidly good listening. Simply well done and made for your enjoyment." Midwest Record, USA

"Christian Pabst has an ear for texture. On Days of Infinity (Challenge), Pabst plays both acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes, and the result is a cool heat found in Bobby Hutcherson's vibes in the late '60s. Playing original compositions, Pabst reaches inside for a brooding, think-out-loud approach that never loses sight of melody or drama. On tracks where he adds the Fender Rhodes, there's a completely different mood—a little more pensive and fully aware of how the ringing chimes sound of the notes will affect the listener." Jazzwax

"Ambient sound, a touch of tradition and a sense of time and place are the ingredients for the Christian Pabst Trio’s Days of Infinity (Challenge Records, 2011)." Smooth Jazz

"The piano is vibrant, mostly upbeat. The trumpet and flugelhorn offer a nice change of pace." Tom Hull Music Blog

"This trio is a wonderful collaboration of 3 accomplished musicians who have, after years of playing together, have developed into a very cohesive group that is able to take you on a wonderful musical journey. Their latest cd (Days Of infinity) is a joy to listen to." Billy Drummond

"The Christian Pabst Trio creates sounds that give you something to think about, and something that you can feel. The perfect combination." Gabriel Alegría

"A remarkable pianist who knows the tradition as well as his own music" Jury Dutch Jazz Competition

"This trio goes far beyond the material. The smalles band gave the biggest presentation: the Christian Pabst Trio won gloriously the Amersfoort Jazz Talent Award. The musicians play intense and subtle together, present themselves naturally and loose and play with depth. " Jury Amersfoort Jazz Talent Award

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