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Felix Biller
Felix Biller is an award-nominated pianist, composer, music educator and music manager. Born in Rosenheim, Bavaria (Germany), he started his musical education at the age of four. Throughout the years he tackled many instruments, such as guitar and saxophone, but the piano always remained his instrument of choice and mastery. His classical training gave him an excellent technique; his eagerness to experiment and think outside the box makes him search for new inspirations and opportunities for artistic development.
Biller is both an involved learner and dedicated teacher. He graduated in musicology from the University of Vienna and in music management from the University for Continuing Education Krems; furthermore, he earned his degree in keyboard instruments (popular music) with a focus on pedagogy at the University of Music and Performing Arts in the Austrian capital Vienna, where he lives. As a passionate educator, he enjoys working with people of different ages and musical backgrounds, which is made possible by his private teaching activities as well as his position as a lecturer in jazz piano at the Jazzseminar (Jazz Department) of the Dornbirn Music School.
Biller is a patient and structured teacher, guiding his students step by step towards their goals. On stage, he reveals a vibrant and charismatic side. He has a keen ear for new ideas and influences – improvisation and experimentation in his lessons can be just as inspiring as delving into the soundscapes of Johann Sebastian Bach. His compositions draw from a wide range of inspiration – from the energy of the Esbjörn Svensson Trio and the roots of the blues, via the versatility of the Beatles and the drama of film music, to the profundity of Abdullah Ibrahim and the melancholic beauty of Nick Drake’s songs. With a sharp sense of balancing intellect and emotion, he masterfully connects diverse musical worlds – making his music a captivating experience.
His main artistic focus is on the trio PRIM, in which he pulls the strings as bandleader, pianist as well as keyboardist and co-composer/arranger. Their current album Meridian Steps garnered widespread critical acclaim, with one reviewer stating that “Biller and his piano really shine on this one” (MainlyPiano, US). The previous record Garnet Tales was also highly praised by the press, with Biller serving as “the driving force behind this trio that is not afraid of adventurous and improvised jazz” (Jazzflits, NL). Among other things, they received an invitation to the Central European Jazz Showcase 2021 in Brno as one of the selected ensembles, were picked several times for the funding program musik aktuell – neue musik in nö of the Musikfabrik NÖ and have already been enthusiastically received in many places.
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Biller dips in and out of pop, Latin, Baroque counterpoint, and more – an exciting preview of what’s to come.
– Gary Whitehouse, Green Man Review (US)
With his magic fingers on the piano, Felix Biller leads through the entire album and seems to form the fixed constant. With catchy and picturesque melodies, he manages to paint landscapes in front of the inner eye. The music, especially on the last track Sofietell, continues to resonate even after the piece has long ended. Just brilliant!
– Vera Schmidt, Music-News (AT)
Esbjorn Svensson
piano
Bill Evans
piano
Abdullah Ibrahim
piano
Ethan Iverson
piano
Keith Jarrett
piano
Brad Mehldau
piano
Neil Cowley
piano
Shai Maestro
piano
Michael Wollny
piano
