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STEPHANIE
TROSCHEIT
TRIO
The Stephanie Troscheit Trio ...
... was founded in autumn 2021 by the Bad Honnef musician Stephanie Troscheit under the name "i.s.t." and renamed Stephanie Troscheit Trio in 2024.
The pianist Stephanie Troschiet combines influences from different musical cultures in her compositions, creating her very own sound. There are rhythmic and melodic elements of Balkan music, influences from Zimbabwean mbira music and elements of classical music.
The typical jazz characteristics of improvisation and experimentation with sounds also create the space for direct creative work from the moment. The trio has found its very own language in a very short time.
In addition to their own works, the trio interprets compositions by some contemporary jazz musicians such as Avishai Cohen and Esbjörn Svensson.
Invincible Summer
Stephanie Troscheit, Klavier
Fritz Roppel, Kontrabass
Chris Jennings, Bass
Stephan Schneider, Drums
Patrick Goraguer, Drums
"In the middle of the deepest winter, I finally realised that an invincible summer dwells within me."
(Albert Camus)
The music tells stories of people's longing for freedom and individuality, of the love of nature and the beauty and diversity of life. The trio plays selected works by the Israeli musician Avishai Cohen as well as Esbjörn Svensson, Lars Danielsson and their own compositions.
Bandleader, Piano
Foto: ©Helmut Reinelt
Stephanie Troscheit
"Making music is as essential to me as breathing.
Playing in a trio and inspiring each other is one of the best moments for me."
... learn more
French Connection
Stephanie Troscheit Trio
French Connection
The line-up with Chris Jennings (Canada) on double bass and Patrick Goraguer (France) on drums shares a passion for music, the exuberant joy of playing and the desire to create together.
The formation plays exclusively compositions by the pianist. These are accessible to the listener, immediately moving and always full of surprises.
The three musicians get to know each other during a joint session in Paris and the spark is ignited - it just fits!
In May, the international ensemble will perform in Germany for the first time.
Premiere on 25 May 2025 in Bonn!
Double Bass
Foto: ©Eve Ottermans
Chris Jennings
Based in Paris France since 2002, Canadian bassist CHRIS JENNINGS for the 2nd year in a row has been chosen in France’s main “JazzMagasine/JazzNews - Best of the Year,” as “Best Foreign Double Bassist 2024/2025 ahead of Thomas Morgan & Esperanza Spalding" He has established himself with the Dhafer Youssef Quartet with Tigran Hamasyan and Mark Guiliana, with many bands of guitarist Nguyên Lê including his current “Silk & Sand” Trio with percussionist Rhani Krija (Sting), Nguyên Lê “Streams Quartet,” a quartet with Rita Marcotulli, Danny Gottlieb, or Karim Ziad and Bojan Z as well as with Turkish ney master Kudsi Ergüner and reknowned Kurdish singer Aynur Dogan. He has been on tours with Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Kenny Werner, Rick Margitza, Gary Husband, Rudy Royston to name a few and bassist in the Joachim Kühn "New Trio”, the 'El Gusto' Algerian traditional Chaabi orchestra, the Gregory Privat Trio, the Titi Robin Quatuor, the David Linx Quartet and the Céline Bonacina Quartet featuring Rachel Eckroth & John Hadfield, and her quartet with Gwilym Simcock, & her FlyFly Trio. His 8th album as a leader CHRIS JENNINGS’ 5 WAYS HOME, “Boy, She’s the Dandy” (2024) received unanimous press especially in France & Europe and includes Patrick Goraguer (pno), Kalle Kalima (gtr), Eric Schaefer (dr), Hayden Chisholm (sax) and guest vocalist Rachel Eckroth.
Drums
Patrick Goraguer
A musician equally known for his outstanding qualities as pianist and drummer, PATRICK GORAGUER also performs on Iranian santour. He accompanies the very best musicians in Jazz, World Music to Chanson Française as well as composing and arranging music for well known films. Residing in Paris, he recorded and performs on an international level with renowned musicians such as Richard Bona, Salif Keita, Femi Kuti, Oum, Aynur Dogan, Tony Allen or Angelique Kidjo as well as French pop star Arthur H, Jane Birkin, Juliette Greco and Nana Mouskouri. Crossing also into the jazz world he also works with saxophonist Bill Evans, Jean-Luc Ponty, George Russel, Lee Konitz, Isfar Sarabski and others. Jazz, Afro Beat, Funk, World Music, producing and arranging film music are some of the many diverse circles which keep Patrick Goraguer a highly solicited musician.
Stephanie Troscheit Trio
Double Bass
Fritz Roppel
"The best thing about making music is when you no longer feel like you're playing, but just listening."
He is one of the most sought-after and accomplished bassists on the Cologne music scene. He studied bass at the Cologne University of Music and has played with various jazz greats such as Charlie Mariano and Ernie Watts. He currently plays in the Marcus Schinkel Trio, among others.
Foto: Kurt Rade
Tristan Sorg
Tristan Sorg (*2004) has been studying at the HfMT Kön since 2024 and is already a sought-after double bass player. He is characterised by great versatility, high musicality and an attentive sensitivity in playing together.
He is the winner of the ‘Jugend jazzt’ WDR BigBand Soloist Prize 2024 and has already performed on stage with various renowned artists. He has played with Henning Gailing and John Goldsby, Hans Dekker and Billy Test, among others.
Drums
Stephan Schneider
... is one of the most versatile drummers in the local music world.His subtle, multi-layered playing is sensitive and powerful at the same time.He has won the German Record Critics' Award twice with "Nonett". He has toured Romania, Hungary, Slovenia and other countries for the Goethe Institute.
Foto: Nicole Schaade
Wim de Fries
Wim De Vries is capable of playing the fastest licks and rolls, but he prefers to be noticed because of his musical ideas rather than because of the number of notes he plays. He can be powerful and explosive, but, he also loves to create the subtles of textures, using brushes, sticks - or just his fingertips. An extravert drummer with amazing control and an impressive set of twirling techniques, because he also fully appreciates the visual aspect of music.
An ambitious drummer too, one who knows what he wants, and one who can create a drumming art that makes his fellow musicians follow him, whether he plays in a jazz quartet or in Broadway-style shows like Chicago or Saturday Night Fever. Wim attended the Berklee College of Music and the Arnhem Conservatory, and he toured world wide with various groups.
Guest Musicians
Foto: Kurt Rade
Michael Heupel
Transverse flutes
Michael Heupel is a much sought-after soloist and chamber musician. His dynamic interpretations and imaginative concert organisation have led to performances in renowned halls all over the world: He has performed at the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, the Konzerthaus Berlin, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Shanghai Concert Hall, the Athens Megaron, the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall in San Francisco and the Cuvilliés Theatre at the Residenz in Munich.
Music expresses that which cannot be said and about which it is impossible to remain silent."
Victor Hugo
Vita and personal details
Stephanie Troscheit received her first piano lessons at the age of 6.
She began studying percussion at the age of 14.
She travelled to West Africa to study at the Art Center in Accra/Ghana. At the age of 18, she travelled to Africa again to study. She began studying percussion at the "Hogeschool voor de Kunsten" in Arnhem at the age of 21.
She developed a solo programme with which she performed for several years. She was commissioned several times by the by the German Africa Foundation and was invited to and performed for the Queen of Lesotho and the then German President Horst Köhler.
With her solo programme and the percussion quartet"Rakatak", she won the audience award twice at thethe "Open Stage" at the Beethovenhaus Bonn. Over the years she has accompanied various dancers in Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.At the same time, she continued her training as a pianist. Started playing the organ in 2013.In her organ concerts, she combines classical workswith classics from rock and pop music and film music.film music.Since founding the trio with Fritz Roppel (double bass) and Stephan Schneider (drums), this has been her main project. All compositions have been written since the trio was founded in autumn 2021.
