“a surrender to the beauty of music”
All About Jazz USA

German pianist and (film-) composer Christian Pabst is a true storyteller.

While being deeply rooted and connected to the greats of jazz, Christian has an original, strong and genre transcending voice as a pianist and composer. Finding inspiration not only in the arts but also in travelling and everyday life, his radiant music is  very visual and inspires your imagination. “I want to create music that speaks to the heart and the mind alike” says the pianist.

Growing up in a small German village close to the French border, Christian always listened as a kid to his brother playing their 1980’s home organ. He also wanted to play music and started to take piano lessons. Later, when he heard the local youth bigband for the first time, he felt instantly connected to jazz and improvisation. His thirst for knowledge and understanding of music led him to study jazz piano and film music at the renowned conservatories of Amsterdam, Paris and Copenhagen. Now, he’s playing concerts all over the world.

Christian’s lyricism unfolds itself beautifully on his acclaimed records. The debut “Days of Infinity” (Challenge Records Int.) features the excellent trumpet player Gerard Presencer and was hailed by the international press. Jazzwise, the biggest British jazz magazine gave 4 stars and drew comparisons with EST. The follow-up “Song of Opposites” extends the trio beautifully with an international top-ensemble of strings, horns and voice. The unique sound of Christian’s writing for large ensemble reminded the press of “a small version of the Metropole Orchestra” (Jazzflits) and others thought “Song of Opposites” was “the most beautiful record of the year“ (Musenblätter). His release “Inner Voice”, mixed and mastered by ECM sound engineer Jan Erik Kongshaug, is described as a “surrender to the beauty of music” by All About Jazz USA. 

Appreciated by his colleagues for his dedication and open-mindedness, Christian lends his strong musical voice to a few select groups, amongst others a collaboration with the great Copenhagen based Czech saxophonist Lubos Soukup with whom he plays in duo as well as quartet. This project toured and recorded with the guitarist Lionel Loueke (known from Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, etc.).

When he is not playing the piano, Christian is busy composing (film-) scores and arranging. Many movies that he scored were awarded with prizes and are being screened all over the world. Recently, the short movie “Dancin’ the Camera” was nominated for the Dutch Oscar. As an arranger, Christian worked for a wide range of ensembles, a.o. the WDR Funkhausorchester. 

Christian has played with o.a. Lionel Loueke, James Cammack, Gerard Presencer, Lubos Soukup, David Doruzka, Jasper Somsen, Sven Ratzke, Claron McFadden, Lavinia Meijer, Eric Vloeimans, David Riondino, …