Biography of Christoph Stiefel

CHRISTOPH STIEFEL, born in Zürich 29 July 1961, is active in various "musical fields" as a composer, pianist, keyboarder, arranger and producer. He took classical piano lessons as a child, and as a teenager became deeply involved in Rhythm & Blues, later in Funk, Fusion and Jazz. As from 1984 he became permanent member of Andreas Vollenweider & friends for 5 years. With this band he participated in several tours in USA, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia.

In 1990 he formed his own jazz trio/ quartet , produced 8 CD's (93/95/97/ 01/06/08/10/12) with the group and played many concerts in Europe with different musicians like Peter Erskine, Charlie Mariano, Jeff Hirshfield, Dieter Ilg, Michel Benita, Roberto Gatto, Matthieu Michel, Joel Allouche, Pat Moret, Marcel Papaux, Thomas Lähns, Lionel Friedli, Kevin Chesham, Arne Huber a.o.
In july 98 was the first performance of his first orchestral work: a concerto for Piano, String-Orchestra and Percussion performed by the Chamber Orchestra of Zuerich.
Since 2005: Isorhythms for solo piano, Solo project for piano & prepared piano.
In February 2012 release of the new Duo CD "Bima Sakti" with swiss Vocalist Lisette Spinnler by the german label Traumton.
In September 2012 first performances of his new Isorhythm Orchestra (7tet) with some of the greatest Swiss musicians.
Since 2000 he teaches piano and keyboards at the Jazz Department of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

Concerts, Tours, Recordings with: Ernie Watts, Peter Erskine, Kevin Eubanks, Charlie Mariano, Robin Eubanks, Marvin"Smitty"Smith, Ralph Moore, Brian Bromberg, Ray Anderson, Heiri Känzig, Dieter Ilg, Nene, Harald Haerter, Marilyn Mazur, Büne Huber, Norbert Pfammater, Stefano Saccon, Lars Lindvall, Bänz Oester, Max Lässer, Marianne Racine, John Voirol, Flavio Boltro, Reto Suhner, Christian Münchinger, Frank Möbus, Joseph Bowie, Gwilym Simcock a.o.

Discography(as leader):

Christoph Stiefel & Stiletto: "Stiletto" AF Records - Phonag 1988
Christoph Stiefel & Stiletto: "Pangani" Pangani Records - COD 1990
Christoph Stiefel Solo Piano: "A Silent Perspective" Biber Records (D)1991
Christoph Stiefel Quartet: "Between Moon & Sea" Pangani Records-Phonag 1993
Christoph Stiefel Quartet: "Ancient longing" Jazzline Records(D) 1995
Christoph Stiefel Trio: "Sweet Paradox" Jazzline Records(D) 1997
Christoph Stiefel & Fabio Freire: "Limmazonas" RecRec 2000
Christoph Stiefel Trio: "dream of the camel" Enja Records(D) 2001
Christoph Stiefel: “Isorhythms for Solo Piano” Pangani Records 2005
Christoph Stiefel Trio: "7 MeilenStiefel" Neuklang Records(D) 2006
Christoph Stiefel: "Inner Language Trio" Neuklang Records(D) 2008
Ch. Stiefel Inner Language Trio: "Fortuna’s Smile" Neuklang Records(D) 2010
Christoph Stiefel & Lisette Spinnler : “Bima Sakti” Traumton Records (D) 2012
Ch. Stiefel Inner Language Trio: "live!" Basho Records(UK) 2012