Stefan Bauer moved to Canada in 1990, and now splits his time between Winnipeg, New York City, and Germany where he was born in 1956 in Recklinghausen. Jazz was his first love, and piano was his first instrument, followed by the trombone. After brief flings with guitar, saxophone and bassoon. At age 19, while completing masters studies at Musik-hochschule Dortmund, he found the vibraphone, "an instrument where I could stand, where I could move, that I could hit, that I could play chords with...I wanted something that was not too common."
His first exposure to Double Image, the double vibes of David Friedman and David Samuels left him speechless, but led him to approach Friedman for lessons, and then to further studies at Berklee in Boston.
His first influence was Lionel Hampton - "he's a wild man." - followed by the impressionism of Gary Burton, the funk of Bobby Hutcherson, Mike Mainieri, and of course Friedman whom he considers his major influence and mentor. Bauer spent time with Palais Schaumberg, a German rock band, but his jazz interests held sway, and by 1985 he had formed his first quartet with Mathias Nadolny on tenor, Tim Wells on bass and drummer Thomas Alkier. This group can be heard on Bauer's first recording Coming Home (1992 - ZYX). Bauer also spent time with Drummele Maa, a percussion group from Germany led by percussionist Christoph Haberer, touring Africa and Europe often. South Indian percussionist Ramesh Shotham was featured in that band, and he and Bauer maintain a working relationship yet today. Drummele Maa can be heard on Villa Rhododendron and Bauer plays on Haberer's Pulsation 1994 CD release.
With the move to Canada in 1990, Bauer has associated himself with some of the finest Canadian jazz players, and from this has developed the Stefan Bauer Quartet: Bernie Senensky - piano, Jim Vivian - bass, and Barry Romberg - drums. They have played together in Toronto clubs frequently since 1993 and had a successful Canadian tour in 1996 that culminated with the highly acclaimed CD, Coast To Coast (Igmod/Page), which featured the great trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. Josef Woodard of Jazziz called this "music that is both cerebral and sensuous" and Bauer "a player of no uncertain gifts, strong in the technique and introspective feeling."
The 1998 Juno-nominated Best of Two Worlds (Jazzline/Allegro) features drummer Adam Nussbaum, guitar great Mick Goodrick, trumpeter Tim Hagans and Jim Vivian in a program of highly evolved originals and standards. This recording was completed in Montreal, and is beginning to garner the plaudits of Bauer's earlier releases. His latest recording featuring Ramesh Shotham, saxophonist Charlie Mariano and other German players is called Silent Witness and is just being released by UP/Page in Canada.
Bauer is also highly regarded in the jazz world as a composer with over 40 compositions on various recordings by other artists. As well, he can be heard on other Canadian recordings by Daniel Koulack (Life On A String), Greg Lowe (Thrilled Against My Will), Roy/Lerner (Quarter To Three), Walle Larsson, and the upcoming Jennifer Hanson release. He has also recorded and/or played with countless musicians in Europe and North America: among others, Christof Lauer, Vienna Art Orchestra, Klaus Konig Ensemble, Vinnie Golia, Don Thompson, Norma Winstone, Alex Dean, the NDR big bands, Attila Zoller, and Larry Coryell.
Singles
Albums
1992 Coming Home (Village/ZYX)
1996 Best Of Both Worlds (Jazzline)
1997 Coast To Coast (Igmod)
1998 Silent Witness (UP)
Video
Collaborations
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