OSTstyrian Rhythm Section
The musicians of the rhythm section of Count Basie's famous big band once formed the "All-American Rhythm Section" - probably one of the most sought-after jazz formations of the 1930s and 40s. Although not in the glittering ballrooms of America, but in the no less vibrant meeting places of local jazz connoisseurs, the "OSTstyrian Rhythm Section" is at work. Inspired by the swing tradition, the concept of jazz is expanded and does not close itself off to modern, romantic and pop tendencies. Especially as the English word "Rhythm Section" is associated with a lot of friction potential and accompanying salivation for the practiced speaker of the Styrian tongue, the Styrianism "Sektschn" is recommended in reference to the East Styrian homeland of the three musicians - intoned with deliberate agility of the lower jaw.
As much as the name may bump over the hills, the graduates of the jazz department of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz meander through the mountain streams of jazz: rushing original compositions, rousing Latin grooves and improvisational cascades. Everything flows! Or in good Styrian: "Panther Rhei".
More Info about the Band:
Founded in 2017 at the Jazz Institute of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
Numerous studio sessions, live performances, ORF TV and radio broadcasts, CD production „Great Austrian Songbook“ 2024
Musicians
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Lukas Meißl
Composition & piano
Lukas Meißl first appeared on stage with a jazz big band at the age of 13 and was inspired and influenced by his long-time mentor, pianist Oliver Vrbancic. He now works with internationally renowned artists, singers, choirs and orchestras. He studied history at the University of Graz as well as music education (piano, guitar, singing) and jazz piano (with Prof. Olaf Polziehn) at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. He can be heard throughout Austria and Europe with his trio, the OSTstyrian Rhythm Section, as well as with the funk band Candlelight Ficus, the Max Kreuzer Octet and other formations. As a solo artist, he took second place at the international jazz competition in Rome in 2022. In addition to his work as a pianist and keyboardist, he is a composer, lyricist and arranger and as such has written music for plays and television programs. He teaches at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and is a speaker at workshops.
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Maximilian Kreuzer
Composition & double bass
Maximilian Kreuzer initially received classical training on the double bass before turning to jazz from the age of 15.At the music high school in Graz, he met like-minded musicians, from which the Quetschklampfa quartet and the Moritz Weiß Klezmer Trio emerged, both ensembles with which he has enjoyed national and international success.He has been studying double bass with Prof. Morten Ramsbøl at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz since 2017.There he completed master classes and collaborations with Jim Mc Neely, Joe Sanders & Georg Breinschmid, among others.
He can also be heard at weddings and balls with the band Die Tanzspielerei, founded the Max Kreuzer Octet in 2021 and also plays in the ensembles Styrian Klezmore Orchestra, OSTstyrian Rhythm Section & Esther.As co-founder and programmer of the Graz-based world music festival folk.art and board member of the Styrian Klezmore Association, he has been involved in the Styrian cultural scene as an organizer since 2019.Maximilian Kreuzer also plays electric bass, tuba and hurdy-gurdy and has been teaching bass at the Heiligenkreuz am Waasen music school since 2023. Concert tours have already taken him to Argentina, Peru, Egypt, Senegal, Italy, France, Belgium, Turkey and Germany.<
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Andreas Reisenhofer
Composition & Drums
Andreas Reisenhofer was born the youngest child in a family of musicians. So it was only natural that at the age of 11 he was able to gain his first performance experience behind the drums with his family band Famusica, playing pop, rock and gospel.He was introduced to jazz music by his drum teacher Reinhardt Winkler.Andreas Reisenhofer's versatility is demonstrated by the fact that he plays in funk bands (MIMOSA) as well as samba and swing with the band Quintoza, with whom he released an album entitled "First Steps" in 2018. In 2019, he made his debut with the "Tanja Filipovic Quartet" at the renowned Royal Garden Jazz Club in Graz.Further CD productions followed in 2021, such as with Maximilian Kreuzer's octet - "Max Kreuzer Octet" and with the Armin Jambor Quintet - "Bad Odyssey", as well as his jazz percussion degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.In 2023, he recorded a CD with the Martin Iaies Trio, which also featured British star saxophonist Julian Argüelles.In 2022, he also toured Austria with the Dena De Rose Trio and the New York jazz vocal group The Royal Bopsters (including at "Jazzland" in Vienna). In 2023, he recorded the new album "Absence" by Armin Jambor, among others.
