Markus Gottschlich | “Found Sounds” | Available This Friday

Pianist/Composer and Steinway Artist Markus Gottschlich Presents a New Concept Album, Found Sounds

Available This Friday,  Found Sounds Invites the Listener to  

Hear the World Differently by Transforming Sounds Recorded Around the Globe into  Captivating Compositions

With Found Sounds, the US based, Austrian pianist, composer and Steinway Artist Markus Gottschlich presents a concept album that is aimed to re-examine and re-imagine people’s relationship to their environment. Recording and collecting ‘sounds’ for over four years from places such as Vienna, London, New York, Taipei and Miami, using a binaural microphone and a hand-held recording device, Gottschlich uses them to inspire his songwriting and improvisations. Themes for his musical explorations range from the sounds of hurricane Irma making landfall in Miami to a horse and carriage in Vienna to the Big Ben in London. “By keeping my ears wide open to my environment, my awareness of the world around me changed, and so did I, lastingly. With some creativity and an open mind, I found that there is more in my environment than I thought; Sounds, more than any other sensory stimulus, spark my imagination,” says Gottschlich.

With these ‘found sounds’ as a springboard for the pianist’s lush imagination and seemingly boundless pianistic ability, his compositions are primarily arranged for a piano trio with a number of notable guest appearances: legendary trumpeter Bobby Shew, alto saxophonist Bruce Williams, (Roy Hargrove’s Big Band / World Saxophone Quartet) and versatile drummer and percussionist Yogev Shetrit of Israel. Critics have described Gottschlich as “a lyrical, high-energy and risk-taking pianist” and “painter of emotions via music”.

Extreme circumstances pathed the way for Gottschlich’s third album as a leader. While the original trio recording was stolen mid-2018 along with its computer, they were surprisingly recovered two years later. Finishing the album during the intense Covid -19 lockdown months that Gottschlich spent on the hard-hit east coast of the US, Found Sounds is a testimony to his relentless creative desire.

Found Sounds allows a very intimate view into the composer’s world, as it becomes apparent how Gottschlich’s mind engages with his (aural) surroundings.  Joining Gottschlich on the album are Bobby Shew, Bruce Williams, Yogey Shetrit, bassist Martin Kocian and drummer David Halasz. Gottschlich adds, “In this album you will hear my way of interpreting the environment, which might entice the listener to use his/her imagination as one goes through their day. Furthermore, it’s my desire to make this improvised artform we call “jazz” as accessible as possible, by relating it to sounds everyone knows.”

About Markus Gottschlich

Austrian pianist, composer and Steinway Artist Markus Gottschlich moved to the United States at an early age and has been based in the U.S. ever since. Like his own life story, Markus’ music reflects a unique blend of “old world” and “new world”. In his captivating live performances, his lyricism and technique contribute to his highly individualized sound. The global flavor with which his music is infused reveals an artistic journey that stretches far beyond his Austrian roots.

For his 2013 sophomore release as a leader, “Of Places Between,” Markus teamed up with Grammy Award-winner Federico Britos, among other renowned artists. The album received critical acclaim and led to international touring opportunities.

After attending Concordia College and graduating from Western Connecticut State University, Markus moved to Miami to study intensively with South Florida pianist Mike Gerber for two years. In addition to performing as a solo pianist and with his ensembles, Markus curated numerous concert series in and around Miami. He also served as the Artistic Director of the Miami Beach Jazz Festival for three years and founded Jazz Academy Miami (JAM).

In September of 2018, Markus was appointed to serve as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Jazz Workshop, reviving the organization’s festival, concert, and educational offerings. In late 2019, Markus accepted the role of Director of Music at Jazz House Kids / Montclair Jazz Festival, guiding the organization’s youth programs to an online format and expanding its international reach. Additionally, in early 2020, Markus contributed compositions to the original motion picture soundtrack of the Egyptian blockbuster, “Ras El Sana.”

Markus has been featured in Downbeat Magazine and has served as juror for many competitions and showcase festivals, such as the Steinway Piano Competition and JazzAhead! in Germany. He maintains a busy schedule, performing and conducting clinics in the U.S., Europe and Asia while working on new compositions and commissioned works.

Markus Gottschlich · Found Sounds

Independent Release · Release Date: November 27, 2020

For more information on Markus Gottschlich, please visit:

MarkusGottschlich.com | Facebook 

For media inquiries, please contact:

DL Media · 267-541-2784

Nuria Hunter · nuria@dlmediamusic.com

Don Lucoff · don@dlmediamusic.com

Information and press materials (including album covers, promotional photos

and bios) on all DL Media artists can be found at our website: dlmediamusic.com