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Felix Biller

Felix Biller is an award-nominated pianist, composer, music educator and music manager. Born in Rosenheim, Bavaria (Germany), he started his musical education at the age of four. Throughout the years he tackled many instruments, such as guitar and saxophone, but the piano always remained his instrument of choice and mastery. His classical training gave him an excellent technique; his eagerness to experiment and think outside the box makes him search for new inspirations and opportunities for artistic development.

Biller is both an involved learner and dedicated teacher. He graduated from musicology and music management as well as jazz/pop piano with a focus on pedagogy at the University of Music and Performing Arts in the Austrian capital Vienna, where he lives and works. As an educator, he enjoys working with people of different ages and backgrounds, which is made possible through his teaching activities, among others in private settings and schools.

While patient and systematic as a tutor, Biller is ebullient and charismatic as a musician. He is open to new ideas and influences: he believes an improvisation session with a student may be as inspiring as a classical composition by Johann Sebastian Bach. Esbjörn Svensson, the Neil Cowley Trio, Brad Mehldau, The Bad Plus, John Cage and others have all exercised a lasting influence on his compositions. Skillfully combining diverse musical concepts, Biller manages the balancing act between intellect and emotions and his live performances are a delight for both.

His main artistic focus is on the trio PRIM. Their latest album "Meridian Steps" (2023, Alessa Records) garnered widespread critical acclaim, with one reviewer stating that "Biller and his piano really shine on this one" (MainlyPiano, US). The previous record "Garnet Tales" (2020, Alessa Records) was also highly praised by the press, with Biller serving as “the driving force behind this trio that is not afraid of adventurous and improvised jazz” (Jazzflits, NL). Among other things, they received an invitation to the "Central European Jazz Showcase" 2021 in Brno (CZ) as one of the selected ensembles, were picked for the funding program “musik aktuell – neue musik in nö 2023” of the Musikfabrik NÖ and have already been enthusiastically received in many places. Another focus lies on the artistic work with the group LaRisa, founded by the singer Larissa Schwärzler, and the progressive-trash-pop collective BLECHKASTEN.

Biller also actively supports the music scene in management functions. Since 2018 he is a management team member at the workshop and festival "NYC Musikmarathon" in Mattighofen (Upper Austria) and he held an assistant position in the artistic management office at the "Wiener Konzerthaus".

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Tags

"Biller dips in and out of pop, Latin, Baroque counterpoint, and more – an exciting preview of what’s to come." - Gary Whitehouse, Green Man Review (US)

"With his magic fingers on the piano, Felix Biller leads through the entire album and seems to form the fixed constant. With catchy and picturesque melodies, he manages to paint landscapes in front of the inner eye. The music, especially on the last track Sofietell, continues to resonate even after the piece has long ended. Just brilliant!" - Vera Schmidt, Music-News (AT)

“Meanwhile, pianist Felix Biller sets the tone for the Austrian trio PRIM in the Weserburg. These are very melodic tunes, often borrowing from the classical repertoire.” - Weser-Kurier (DE)

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Vienna

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Education: Bachelor studies (BA) in Music Education for Voice and Instruments (Keyboard Instruments Popular Music) at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna; Bachelor studies in Musicology at the University of Vienna; Master Studies (MA) in Music Management at the University for Continuing Education Krems; Masterclasses and workshops with Cory Henry, Iiro Rantala among others

Teaching: GAB Music Lessons, Vienna; Music school “Klangspiele”, Vienna; Campanella Music Academy Vienna

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

PRIM - Meridian Steps

Alessa Records Jazz & Art
2023

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PRIM - Madison '71

Alessa Records Jazz & Art
2023

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PRIM - Garnet Tales

Alessa Records Jazz & Art
2020

buy

PRIM - Mind And The...

Alessa Records Jazz & Art
2020

buy

PRIM - 40 Days

Self Produced
2017

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PRIM - More & Less...

Self Produced
2016

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Videos

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