Format: CD
Barcode: 0608917146523
Releasedate: 29-08-25
- The awakening of an extraordinary piano trio
- Fresh approaches in a classic format: jazz piano trio from Austria takes off
Why start a debut album with a jazz standard when there are a number of your own pieces for people to discover? Anyone who listens to Thomas Quendler's version of Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing" will quickly understand what inspired the pianist, composer and arranger from Graz to come up with this idea. In his unconventional, yet deeply respectful version, much of what constitutes the Austrian comes together: joy in jazz traditions, an original, completely unique approach, technical class, a gripping energy level and the perfect intertwining of an excellent, rhythmically resourceful group. The Ellington piece opens "Awaking" with an initial exclamation mark. This is followed by other, mostly own pieces, from rock-energetic to emotional-romantic and all the way to a sparkling straight-ahead composition. As a second classic, the trio later reproduces a version of "Yatra-Ta", the furious Brazilian jazz piece by Tania Maria; it also has an unusually contorted sound, sometimes even staggered with an R&B groove.
"I simply had to incorporate one or two jazz standards," Thomas Quendler wrote in the liner notes, especially as a small tribute to all the inspiring role models in jazz history. However, he didn’t even consider recording a conventional interpretation close to the original. For him, dealing with pieces such as Ellington's swing anthem involves "finding his own approach to give the song such a special spin". This attitude, this desire for the other, is encountered again and again on "Awaking". Quendler's group is not one of the usual piano trios of the classical school. As much as the native of Carinthia has dealt with tradition, the influences that come together in his playing and his attitude extend far into other areas of style.
Thomas Quendler was 23 at the time of the recordings. This is the first album of his acoustic trio. However, the three are not newcomers. To the contrary: for example, they have long been the core of two established fusion bands. With Origina1Nerd, you come across ingeniously complex fusion forms; the band Kernfusion is more rock oriented. Thomas Quendler mostly plays keyboards in both bands, and Jacob Gönitzer usually plays e-bass. Drummer Jonas Kočnik consistently shows enormous flexibility and power, a strong groove and precision.
The band Kernfusion was the first one at the very beginning. It was born from an ensemble at the Wolfsberg Music School in 2017. The small town in Carinthia, located halfway between Klagenfurt and Graz, is the home of Quendler and Gönitzer. Kočnik comes from the village of St. Michael ob Bleiberg farther south. When Kernfusion was already becoming more well known, Gönitzer, Quendler and Kočnik gradually became members of Origina1Nerd, the group of saxophonist Max Glanz (who also produces albums). Gönitzer and Kočnik are currently studying in Linz in northern Austria, while Quendler is studying in Graz. No problem! Thomas Quendler: "We have known each other for such a long time, and we are constantly involved in exchanging ideas . And we see each other often, already through the activities of the different bands." This growing bond, the fact that they have developed side by side over the years, now also benefits Quendler's trio. This was created on the occasion of his bachelor's degree at the prestigious Graz University of the Arts. "I wanted to do something different from the sound and vibe of other bands. But you can certainly hear certain parallels. For example, a lot is arranged much more strictly than is often the case with jazz piano trios."
Thomas Quendler started playing the piano at a surprisingly late stage. His first instrument was the Styrian Harmonica, a diatonic accordion with a button keyboard. This plays a central role in the folk music of the region. Quendler's parents ran a popular inn in the area of the Saualpe Mountains above Wolfsberg. At the age of eight, he began to learn the accordion and to play music together with his mother, who had previously sung in entertainment bands. "I really wanted to learn an instrument. I enjoyed it. That gave me a lot of energy from an early age.” He also still played the harmonica when he had long since discovered the piano for himself. By the way, he discovered musicians such as Stevie Wonder, one of his great heroes to this day, through his mother's musical preferences.
The natural limitations of the diatonic instrument eventually led him to the piano. At first, he played on his cousin's piano. He learned by playing by ear and by using online videos. Thomas Quendler received classical lessons at a music school when he was 13, and he discovered jazz piano when he was 15: a breakthrough for his further development. His outstanding musical talent was revealed within a very short time. Parallel to the regular school, he completed a preliminary course of study in Klagenfurt. The aforementioned Wolfsberg music school ensemble initially played jazz standards. Then Quendler & Co. discovered the great jazz rock/fusion tradition: Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, and Chick Corea’s Electric Band. On the other hand, Quendler also learned to appreciate Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly as well as Brad Mehldau and Shai Maestro in those years.
With the "Awaking" trio, the excellent pianist now has another ensemble at the springboard. He never tires of stressing how important the alliance with his co-musicians is. And that music is not a playground for egos for him, but a matter of the heart. He will complete his Master's degree in Vienna without giving up his base in Graz. In the spring of 2025, Thomas Quendler won the Ö1 Jazz Scholarship of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, which will enable another album production. "Awaking" is a huge step on a promising path.