Born and raised in Germany, trained in New York City, and now based in Canada, jazz pianist and composer, FLORIAN HOEFNER, draws from a myriad of influences that culminate in his unique brand of modern jazz. Praised as a “composer-bandleader of insightful resolve” by the New York Times and a “harmonically daring pianist…reaching toward new sonic territory…” by Downbeat, Hoefner has made his mark as an inventive creator and performer of contemporary Jazz.
With his quartet, the Florian Hoefner Group, he has released 3 albums on Origin Records that have received rave reviews around the globe. “Luminosity,” his latest release that features tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, has been described as a “starkly picturesque album…that makes profound statements from quiet moments” by Downbeatand as a “total experience” by the New York Jazz Record. It has been nominated as Jazz Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards 2017. The Group also received the Stingray Rising Star Award after their performance at the Montréal Jazz Festival 2015.
As a member of the Germany-based collective, Subtone, he has released four critically acclaimed albums and performed on four continents including festival appearances at Jazz Baltica (Germany), ACACIA Jazz Festival (Ethiopia), Jazz in Situ (Ecuador), and Tremplin Jazz d’Avignon (France) where the group was awarded jury and audience awards. Hoefner’s work as a sideman has led to numerous additional CD releases including a collaboration with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, and stages shared with Joe Lovano, Seamus Blake, Rich Perry, John Riley, and New York Philharmonic clarinetist Mark Nuccio.
A two-time winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, Hoefner’s big band compositions have been performed by the New York Jazz Orchestra, the Lucerne Jazz Orchestra, the German Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the DanJam Orchestra.
Since 2018 FLORIAN HOEFNERhas worked with tonight’s Canadian trio (JIM VIVIANon bass, NICK FRASERon drums), performing a completely new repertoire of his originals and arrangements of folk songs from different parts of the world.