Sebastian Sternal

Sebastian Sternal was born in Mainz, Germany, in 1983.He got his first classical piano lessons at the age of 6. When he was 11 years old, his first piano teacher Johannes Korth introduced him to jazz, which was a great discovery for the young pianist.1996 an 98 he was the first prize winner of the Rhineland-Palatinate competition "Jugend jazzt" (youth jazz award). 1999 - 2006 he was a member of the "Bundesjazzorchester" (National Youth Jazz Orchestra) in Germany, conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer. He has also been working as a teacher for this orchestra.2003 - 2007 he studied Jazzpiano with John Taylor and Hubert Nuss at the "Hochschule für Musik Köln" (Cologne College of Music) in Germany. Other teachers were Martin Sasse, Hendrik Soll, Frank Chastenier, Rob Madna and Kevin Hays.He works also as composer, writing for different ensembles from duo to symphony orchestra.Up to now, he got the chance to work with musicians like John Riley, Mike Richmond, Dee Dee Bridgewater, David Binney and John Ruocco.In 2007 he received the renowned "WDR Jazz Prize" for Improvisation.At the moment he s living in Paris, France, studying composition with Francois Théberge at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique.