ALEX VENTLING

 

Alexander Ventling (1994), is a Swiss pianist originally born and raised in New Zealand. After a short stay in New York after high-school, Alex received scholarship at Berklee College of Music, however decided to attend the Jazzcampus Basel. He completed his Masters degree in Jazz Piano and Music Pedagogy in August 2019, studying with many great icons of the field (Mark Turner, Jorge Rossy, Larry Grenadier, Guillermo Klein, etc). Alex started the European Jazz Masters program in Autumn 2020. This personalised music performance degree began at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen and will continue through Berlin and Trondheim.

 

Alex has established his personal sound as a contemporary pianist through his sophisticated, yet warmly organic compositions and playing style. His attention to detail and tasteful decisions continue to nourish a sensitive expression through the instrument. His playing has been described as poetic and refreshing.

 

Alex is currently leading two bands, ‘Alex Ventling Trio’ and ‘Alex & the Wavemakers’, as well as working as an active Side-Man. He released the 'Alex & The Wavemakers EP' in 2018 and completed a 10-concert New Zealand Tour with the Alex Ventling Trio in 2020. Alex's passion of the compositional practice in these projects, continuously helps to free himself from his musical horizons.

 

Alex also practices Vipassana meditation, having sat numerous courses (in the teachings of S.N. Goenka). His Master thesis, 'Response Over Reaction – the connection and adaptation of Vipassana meditation to improvised music', continues to influence his musical practice and teaching.

 

Alex continues to inform and incorporate his musical projects with his visual work.