Michael Arbenz, pianist & composer

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music and who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?

My parents both are classical musicians. Music and musicianship was always present in my life. There was a lot of singing and music was a sort of a toy as a young kid. My father is a classical pianist, he started to teach me little by little. That’s where it all started. The decision to study music and to become a professional player came much later, but since music was always present, it was a natural process. My parents had a collection of jazz recordings. These recordings fascinated me from a very early age on. Jazz was always present in my life and I always played Classical music and Jazz simultaneously, although I only studied Classical music. It was always clear for me, that jazz is fitting my personality very well. The freedom of improvisation, the combination of technical skills, harmonic and rhythmical complexity and the element of groove gives me the possibility to express myself on different levels at the same time. Although I love Classical music a lot, it was always clear to me that I can reflect my inner world in the idiom of Jazz in a perfect way.

Concerning my influences, it always was a conscious decision not to follow one aesthetic but to be influenced by many different styles. I love classical piano music like Schumann, Brahms, Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, and of course Bach. And in Jazz, I’m fascinated by the very early players as Earl Hines and Fats Waller, then of course all the greats like Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett…I have a very eclectic taste. As long as there is an element which touches me or fascinates me, it’s also influencing me in one way or another.

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?

It’s a constant challenge to evolve continuously, to change and, if needed, re-invent myself in order to be able to reflect myself and the present world through my music. Circumstances change continuously, sometimes there are many inspiring things around, sometimes none…I understand my music as a reflection of life through my own experience. To keep this authentic and spontaneous momentum is a constant challenge, but it’s keeping the music fresh and alive.

Of which performances/recordings are you most proud?

I’m very self-critical as an artist and I constantly feel a need to improve. But I can say that I’m happy with recordings and performances in which I was able to express my inner world as limitless and as authentic as possible.

This adds the music a certain spirit which is hard to describe, but this is what I’m looking for as a musician. And there were some fortunate moments in my career of which I’m really happy they took place. For example collaborations with the Norbotten Big Band, with Dave Liebman, Greg Osby, Marc Johnson, Andy Sheppard or Ron Carter.

Which particular works/composers do you think you perform best?

My musical universe not only consists of performing. Composing and arranging is an integral part of it. To perform a work well, I need to find a personal approach to it, a possibility of playing it and improvising with it in a personal way. If I find this, I can play it in an authentic way which I think is the best I can do.

What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?

Everything can inspire me. I consider improvisation in music as a school of life. And life as inspiration for improvisation in music.

What advice would you give to young or aspiring musicians?

As a young musician, a big focus is on studying, which means on improving your skills. This is essential for sure, since most things can’t be done without proper skills. But the core of music is on an other level. It’s about expressing emotions and atmospheres, it’s about expressing ways of thinking and feeling. Skills should always be a tool to serve this level of expression. Also, it’s crucial to be curious. Inspiration often comes from unexpected directions…

What’s the one thing we’re not talking about in the music industry which you really feel we should be?

It would be great if musicians would get more in control of their business.

Michael Arbenz’s album Classicism – A Point of View’ is out now

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