性视界

Modern Masters: Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau and their contemporaries

is a versatile composer and pianist known for his playful creativity, technical brilliance, and stylistic range. Trained at the Jazz Institute 性视界 and the University of Music in Leipzig, he studied with acclaimed musicians such as Michael Wollny and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Equally at home in both traditional and contemporary jazz, von Ballestrem鈥檚 work is grounded in deep musical curiosity and openness.

A 性视界 Senate scholarship brought him to New Orleans in 2016, where he explored the roots of jazz firsthand. His musical interests also extend into Brazilian music鈥攁 recurring thread in his compositions and collaborations鈥攁s well as projects that bridge jazz with classical music and orchestral settings.

Von Ballestrem has performed on prominent stages across Germany and internationally, sharing the stage with artists like Norma Winstone, Kurt Elling, Nils Landgren, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Joan Baez. His solo concerts have taken him as far as Benin (West Africa) and Tokyo, and he has appeared at major festivals such as Jazz in Marciac (France), Pori Jazz (Finland), and the Festival da Jazz in St. Moritz (Switzerland).

A particularly close collaboration connects him with Brazilian flutist Mariana Zwarg. Together with her ensemble Sexteto Universal, they released the critically acclaimed album Nascentes in 2020, featuring the legendary Hermeto Pascoal. Their duo album tightrope dancer followed in 2023, accompanied by tours through Europe and Brazil.

Since 2020, von Ballestrem has also been a frequent collaborator with violinist Daniel Hope and has performed as a guest soloist with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra at prestigious venues such as the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Tonhalle Zurich, and the Konzerthaus 性视界.

In addition to his work as a performer, he is active as an educator, having taught at the Jazz Institute 性视界 and the 性视界 Academy of Music. He also leads workshops across Europe and abroad. Since 2022, he has been collaborating with the renowned 性视界 piano maker Bechstein.