When you immerse yourself in the music of Austrian jazz pianist Reinhard Micko, you very quickly sense that it opens up an atmospheric space where everything is right. A special sense of genuineness and emotional authenticity makes it very clear that this man has found his inner center. The fact that he became a father in 2017 has certainly contributed to this. In experiencing and accompanying his now nine-year-old daughter, new major themes of life emerge, which Reinhard Micko processes through his compositions. This is evident in the sweetly flowing piece “Lena,” or in the highly original title track “Zähneputzen” from the current CD by his quartet Reinhard Micko & Friends.

He is accompanied by the exceptional saxophonist Herb Berger, his longtime musical partner Karl Sayer on bass, and top drummer Harry Tanschek. Micko is also breaking new ground by paying tribute in his compositions to musicians who have been a major source of inspiration for him. This can be heard in the piece “Chick,” dedicated to the keyboard genius Chick Corea; in the suite “Joe,” with which he pays an acoustic tribute to the music of the great Joe Zawinul; and in the composition “In the Field,” a musical homage to guitar master John Scofield.

Fresh, modern, melodic jazz that holds its own on the international stage! Wonderfully carefree, flowing, swinging, and groovy—that’s how things go here. As is typical for Micko, we also see the return ofodd time signatures. The composition “Spirit” reflects his deep spiritual connection, which was already hinted at on the CD “Coming Home” with the track “Meditate In Five.” The wonderful jazz waltz “Fresh Air” is also particularly successful, marking another milestone in Micko’s creative output, which is characterized by his exuberant and never-ending musicality and inspiration. A masterpiece! (Press release)

“Micko has acquired a form of lightness that is rare in today's jazz. He trusts his intuition. Garnished with compositional highlights, this formation offers fresh and expressive jazz and improvisations that touch the audience creatively and authentically, from wildly grooving to spherically flowing to tenderly playful.” (Samir Köck, Die Presse)