About Me
German-born jazz pianist, composer, label executive and music educator.His music has been performed in Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, and most recently in the United States. He began studying piano at age six and later earned his Diplom in Performing Arts from the Essen Folkwang School in Germany, a B.A. in Piano and Composition from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands and a Certification in Popular Music from the University of Hamburg, Germany.In developing his signature sound over the years, Markus drew his influences from a wide range of musical styles including J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, Keith Jarret, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Pat Matheny, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Sting.He has released eight albums, featuring his own compositions and arrangements, among them, his two most recent releases, Genesis and Inside Outside. His CD Genesis, an avant-garde jazz collaboration with renowned drummer Matt Marucci, has received raving reviews from jazz critics in the United States while his latest Spiritual Standards project Inside Outside, with Berlin-based saxophonist Jan Von Klewitz, made its debut during a nationally televised performance in Germany on New Year's day, 2005. His second album, The Smile of the Honeycake Horse, with his quartet Septer Bourbon, received wide acclaim from the European press and Downbeat Magazine in the United States and achieved something of a cult following in Germany. His Spiritual Standards project, a collection of contemporary jazz improvisations of Johann Sebastian Bachs greatest chorals and masterpieces, was performed at sold out venues in Germany, Poland, Italy and the United States, later moving to the top 20 in the German Jazz charts in 1999.His fifth album and first solo project, Ultreya, featuring his own piano compositions and improvisational work, is a testament to his resilience in the face of tragedy, following a long battle with cancer. Ultreya, an ancient Spanish cry which loosely translates into "keep going" was introduced to American, German and Italian audiences during his 2003-2004 tour season.Along with composing and performing, Markus is a professor of music. Among his recent and most proud accomplishments, was the launching of DiverCity Records, a non-profit, college-based record label, which he founded and directed, with the mission of providing real-world, hands-on record label experience to students from diverse musical backgrounds.
In Los Angeles, Markus founded the North Atlantic Jazz Alliance, togehter with Jim Linahon,
Marshall Hawkins, Paul Kreibich, Michael Schiefel, Bill Yeager and Jan von Klewitz.
Their first album was just introduced to an excited audience at the Idyllwild Jazz Festival.Remaining true to his goal of being a versatile, multi-dimensional artist, Markus has also ventured into the world of musical scoring for television and documentaries in the United States.He and his wife Cibelle, currently split their time between Europe and Los Angeles, California.
