ABOUT

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"A Revelation" - Jazzmagazine France (FR)

Owls is an Austrian jazz piano trio whose music is rooted in the tradition of European jazz but transcends stylistic borders in a refreshing and unconventional way, combining elements from jazz, electronic music, classical music and pop - all with an unwavering commitment to sound aesthetics. The creative core of the trio is formed by its two founding members, pianist and composer Simon Oberleitner and drummer Konstantin Kräutler-Horváth, who are constantly expanding the format for collaborations. To complete the trio setting, they are currently joined by double bassist Andreas Waelti. Since their establishment in 2015, they have released three albums: “Crumbling Light" (ATS Records), "Wendolins Monocle" (Intersections) and "Light Works" (Col Legno, Autumn 2024), that are all conceptualized to explore the relationship of human beings to each other and to their environment.

"A glorious musical journey!“ - Mainly Piano (USA)

"... a playful labyrinth" - A Closer Listen (UK)

For this they have collaborated in an interdisciplinary setting with numerous renowned artists, including Austria's number one vocal ensemble Company of Music, light and shadow artist Roos van Haaften (NL), actor and author Klaus Haberl, trumpeter Herbert Walser-Breuß and singer Veronika Morscher (GER). Ever since they have gained great attention around the world and have been highly acclaimed by the international press, including Jazzwise (UK), Jazzmagazine France (FR), Mainly Piano (USA), Jazzpodium (GER), Jazzenzo (NL), “Choices of the Year 2022 List“ Valon Kuvia (FIN) and many more. They played in numerous major concert halls, such as Konzerthaus Vienna, Volkstheater Vienna, Musiktheater Linz, Porgy & Bess Vienna, Spielboden Dornbirn, Stadttheater Lindau, Montforter Zwischentöne - always focusing on the act of creation in high quality improvisations and interpretations of lovingly handcrafted compositions.

"Music that takes its time and almost brings time to a standstill. […] Music that does not even ignore boundaries." - Johann Kneihs in the ORF Ö1 Spielräume (AUT)

"... catchy melodies, interesting harmony and effective dramatic tension" - Zeitschrift für Kultur und Gesellschaft (AUT)
 

Well versed in the idioms of European jazz, the trio celebrates a cinematic and spacious sound that invites you to follow the sophisticated melodic phrasing and rich harmonies floating over the listener in tranquil waves and flurries of energy. They really let their pieces become experiences and create their own musical language, one of captivating, timeless tonal diversity. The trio makes extensive use of modern production techniques including electroacoustic sound processing, extended techniques including muted piano, looping, and effects processing, as well as the sampling of sounds found in nature, transporting the otherwise traditional trio format into a contemporary textural experience.

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Simon Oberleitner, piano & electronics

Andreas Waelti, upright bass

Konstantin Kräutler-Horváth, drums & sampling​