Born in 1990, pianist Elias Stemeseder has become a creative force of contemporary jazz in recent years. Based primarily in New York since 2015, the Austrian-born pianist has made a name for himself in a wide variety of advanced improvisational contexts. Up to now, Stemeseder has been content to work as a sideman, though all those familiar with his work in the Jim Black Trio will know that he is a musician of remark- able skill, flair and imagination. His diverse playing ranges from song- oriented to contemporary classical pieces to electronic music.
His spirit of discovery leads him into different musical realms and thanks to his great empathy for the respective musical idiom, his piano playing always captivates with authenticity. Deeply rooted in the tradi- tion of jazz and equipped with a fearless passion of experimentation, he distinguishes himself on this solo album as a profound pianist with a sovereign will to create. He is an inventive improviser whose playing sparkles with complexity and conceptual verve. On Piano Solo, Steme- seder skillfully plays with structures and moods and presents an album that is laden with surprises and bursting with ideas. "Stemeseder is a deeply mature musician with an abiding sense of inner reflection. That interior mindset is clear on this dazzling album," writes Peter Margasak in the liner notes.

Cover art: Heike Liss
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Liner Notes: Peter Margasak
Photo: Szymon Hantkiewicz

All compositions by Elias Stemeseder except "foeggslia'l" (Trad. Austrian, arr. Elias Stemeseder). Recorded June 16, 17, 18, 2021, at SWR Studio Freiburg im Breisgau. Recording engineers: Alfred Habelitz, Toygun Kirali. Mixed and mastered in January and February 2022 by Michael Brändli at Hardstudios Winterthur. Disc and packaging by Adon Production AG. Produced by SWR2 Redaktion Neue Musik/Jazz, Julia Neupert and Intakt Records. Executive producer: Florian Keller Published by Intakt Records. Intakt Records, P. O. Box, 8024 Zürich, Switzerland.