Maria Baptist has always been considered to be a „magician of the soul of the piano“ (WDR). On her new album Resonance she follows her reputation as a „seductress of the 88 keys„: Resonance is highly emotional, evocative and vivid as life.“ – All About Jazz

Resonance outlines Maria’s relationship to music and mindfulness — and by extension, inspires her listeners to dive deeper into the present moment with her. The music she recorded is as intellectually compelling, as it is emotionally intense — it is filled with magical moments that resonate with the listeners’ soul. „It sounds almost paradoxical, however Maria Baptist is able to create something like an extroverted inwardness.“ (LV)

„Resonance, simply said, is great piano music that doesn‘t need the categories of classical, contemporary or jazz music. It speaks for itself.“ –Cosmo Scharmer

Video: Ballad / Lyrical / Powerful

Maria Baptist will present her first duo album together with Jan von Klewitz in September 2020.

The two were intensively on national tour in this formation and celebrated their international premiere at the Hong Kong Jazz Festival 2019.
The duo has freed itself from all genre descriptions and the two musicians are able to create something like an extroverted inwardness.

Her duo partner Jan von Klewitz is a genuine master on his instrument. His clear voice creates an enormous stylistic range from a classical to a contemporary sound. As he already showed on Maria’s 2017 Quartet recording „Poems without Words“, both musicians create „deep worlds of sounds, which are seldom heard in Europe today“ (Cosmo Scharmer).

Both musicians share a long-standing artistic relationship; Jan von Klewitz is a steady member of the Maria Baptist Orchestra. On the 2017 released trio album Poems without Words he was a Feature
guest and has contributed significantly to bring „Maria Baptist’s music completely towards Coltrane-Power“ (Jazz Thing).

Video: Ballad / Lyrical / Up-Tempo

With her trio plus one Maria Baptist has created one of the „most exciting contemporary jazz formations in Europe“ (artistic director 12on14 Jazzclub). On their new album „Poems without Words“, they create „deep worlds of sound, which are seldom heard in Europe today“ (Cosmo Scharmer).

Touching melodies, contrasting with powerful outbursts, balladic lines transform into fast-paced sequences of notes. All this is presented with a „technical ability at the highest level and with a musical intelligence that forms a perfectly harmonious band“ (AAZ). „A concert by the Maria Baptist Trio plus One is a musical revelation“ (KN).

Jan von Klewitz (sax), Fabian Timm (bass), John Betsch (drums)

Video: Trio-Ballad / Trio plus One Up-Tempo / Trio Energetic

Over the past few years, Maria Baptist has established her profile as an international pianist with her solo recording Resonance (2018) and her quartet album Poems without Words (2017), and has strengthened this profile with highly visible concerts at festivals such as Jazz Baltica or the Hong Kong Jazz Festival. Now she is once again focusing entirely on her skills as a composer with her sequel album Here & Now 2 for her jazz orchestra on which the DOWNBEAT states: „it should cause listeners‘ ears to perk up in the U.S.„

Supported by Baptist’s 16-piece ensemble, which features a first-class line-up of musicians, Maria Baptist transfers her aesthetic and unique style to Here & Now 2. The seven new, complex compositions emphasize the uniquely creative voices and individual personalities of each member of the band. Here & Now 2 reflects on the present moment, on what represents the „here & now“ in a broader sense.

The Maria Baptist Orchestra is one of the leading big bands in the pulsating Berlin jazz scene. They have been playing their monthly concert series at Kunstfabrik Schlot since 5 years. The Berlin Senate supports the Orchestra with a jazz funding and their previous album Here & Now was nominated for the German Record Critics‘ Award. The music, all composed by Maria Baptist, has been seen „in a league with the key figures of modern Big Band Jazz such as Schneider, Gruntz, McNeely and Bley“ by All about Jazz.

Video: Teaser #1 / Teaser #2 / Teaser #3 / Teaser #4

Rhythm: Piano-Maria Baptist, Bass-Fabian Timm, Drums-Heinz Lichius Reeds: David Beecroft, Jan v. Klewitz, Niko Zeidler, Richard Maegraith, Nik Leistle Trombones: Julius Hopf, Jan Landowski, Rasmus Holm, Christopher Sauloff Trumpets: Greg Bowen, Fabian Engwicht, Ruben Giannotti, Eddie Hayes