Benedikt Jahnel

Jahnel is known for his nuanced, classically influenced jazz recordings. When he was young he took classical piano lessons and gained jazz experience by playing in the Bavarian and German Youth Big Bands. He continued his studying at Berlin University of the Arts under David Friedman and Hubert Nuss, and later at New York City College studying with Kenny Werner, Jean-Michel Pilc, and John Patitucci. After graduation, he has built an impressive array of credits performing with such luminaries as Phil Woods, Johannes Enders, Frank Möbus, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Clarence Penn, and Dan Weiss, Steve Davis. Along with his solo work, he has played and recorded regularly with the jazz ensemble Max.Bab and he is also a longtime member of vocalist Cymin Samawatie's Cyminology group. As a leader, Jahnel made his debut with his trio featuring bassist Antonio Miguel and drummer Owen Howard on 2008's Modular Concepts for ECM. Another trio effort, Equilibrium (2012), followed in 2012. In 2017, Jahnel delivered his third trio recording on ECM, The Invariant, which found him drawing inspiration from his love of mathematics.[2] He has been compared to the late Swedish pianist Esbjörn Svensson.[3]

• Official website