"George E. Lewis is the Edwin H. Case Professor of American Music at Columbia University. A 2015 Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy, Lewis has received a MacArthur Fellowship (2002), a Guggenheim Fellowship (2015), a United States Artists Walker Fellowship (2011), an Alpert Award in the Arts (1999), and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2015, Lewis received the degree of Doctor of Music (DMus, honoris causa) from the University of Edinburgh.

A member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) since 1971, Lewis's work in electronic and computer music, computer-based multimedia installations, and notated and improvisative forms is documented on more than 140 recordings. His work has been presented by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonia Orchestra, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Talea Ensemble, Dinosaur Annex, Ensemble Pamplemousse, Wet Ink, Ensemble Erik Satie, Eco Ensemble, and others, with commissions from American Composers Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, Harvestworks, Ensemble Either/Or, Orkestra Futura, Turning Point Ensemble, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, 2010 Vancouver Cultural Olympiad, IRCAM, Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, and others. Lewis has served as Ernest Bloch Visiting Professor of Music, University of California, Berkeley; Paul Fromm Composer in Residence, American Academy in Rome; Resident Scholar, Center for Disciplinary Innovation, University of Chicago; and CAC Fitt Artist In Residence, Brown University.

Lewis received the 2012 SEAMUS Award from the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States, and his book, A Power Stronger Than Itself: The AACM and American Experimental Music (University of Chicago Press, 2008) received the American Book Award and the American Musicological Society's Music in American Culture Award. Lewis is co-editor of the two-volume Oxford Handbook of Critical Improvisation Studies (2016), and his opera Afterword, commissioned by the Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry at the University of Chicago, premiered at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago in October 2015 and has been performed in the United States, United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic.

Professor Lewis came to Columbia in 2004, having previously taught at the University of California, San Diego, Mills College, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Koninklijke Conservatorium Den Haag, and Simon Fraser University's Contemporary Arts Summer Institute. Lewis studied composition with Muhal Richard Abrams at the AACM School of Music, and trombone with Dean Hey."

"Oxana Omelchuk, actually Oxana Omel'čuk, also spelling Oxana Omeltschuk, (* 1975 in Bjarosa, Belarusian Socialist Soviet Republic, today Belarus) is a Belarusian composer who lives in Germany.

Oxana Omelchuk was born in the town of Bjarosa, then part of the Belarusian Socialist Soviet Republic, and since 1991 belongs to the newly established Republic of Belarus. She now lives in Germany. After completing her school studies she studied at the College of Music in Cologne in the composition with Professor Johannes Fritsch and in the electronic composition with Professor Michael Beil. Omelchuk finished her studies with the Master.

She has received various awards and scholarships, a. DAAD scholarship 2003, Bernd-Alois-Zimmermann scholarship of the City of Cologne 2006, Scholarship Scholarship in the Künstlerdorf Schöppingen 2007, Baldreit Fellowship of the City of Baden-Baden 2009 and scholarship of the Cologne Kunstverein 2011, and 2018 a stay scholarship In the Villa Aurora .

Omelchuk is mainly active in the field of new music. Numerous world premieres of her compositions have been held at the Neue Musik Festival in Wuppertal, often in Cologne ( Roman Summer, young biennial, eight bridges), Munich at the Biennale in Munich and the musica viva as well as at the Donaueschinger Musiktagen. Omelchuk created several order compositions, a. (DMR), the WDR, the Kunststiftung NRW, the SWR and various Cologne festivals and ensembles with which she works closely.

Oxana Omelchuk lives and works in Cologne."

Sophia Goidinger is an Austrian violinist, known for the groups Orchester Der Akademie St. Blasius, Studio Dan, and her duo with Maiken Beer, Strings & Noise.

"Maiken Beer, born in 1977 in Vienna, is a freelance cellist for classical, contemporary, and improvised music. She is the founder of the duo "celloduoburghardbeer" and a member of the Black Page Orchestra. She has also worked with, among many others, Clemens Wenger, Matthias Kranebitter, Julia Purgina, Mirela Ivičević, the JazzWerkstatt Vienna, Neue Oper Wien, snim, Ensemble szene instrumental, Janus Ensemble, and Ensemble Reconsil."

"Manuel Mayr, double bass. Characterized by constructive and structural clarity, Manu Mayr explores instrument between jazz, contemporary and electronic music. From Kompost 3 via 5K HD to Klangforum Wien."

Thomas Frey is an Austrian flute player, known for the groups Ensemble 20. Jahrhundert, Studio Dan, Vienna Art Orchestra.

"Dominik Fuss (B.A. B.A.) is a trumpet player & composer from Vienna, Austria.

Born into a musical family, aged 7 he found out that he wants to be a trumpet player, after investing his lunch money for a whole school camp week, into a 10 CD-collection of Louis Armstrong.

PictureHe studied in several universities (Vienna, Cologne, Graz...) and graduated with honors in jazz- trumpet & classical trumpet (-education).

After his graduation he won the first prize for trumpet at the International Jazzsolist-Award "MasterJam Fest" in Odessa Ukraine, alongside other prize winners like Joey Alexander (US), Yissy Garcia (Cuba) & others.

In the recent years he played around the globe, released his europewide acclaimed debut-Album "Ethology" (2016/ Dominik Fuss' Rumpus) and initiated and leaded large ensembles like the Spittelberg JazzOrchestra, an young all-star big band playing new vienesse composers and their music.

A bit later he started the family band Affair Dreyfuss (Affäre Dreyfuss): a band containing three members of one family (fuss), playing originals and arrangements from the bop-era and beyond. They released the album "In Good Company" last year (2018) in june.

His newest project is the Duo Fuss/Leichtfried. Together they explore the borders between jazz tradition, classical and modern music, and played already all around the world together: Vietnam, Malaysia, Tunisia & Montenegro."

"Daniel Riegler Ð Trombone, Composition. Born in 1977, Graz, Austria.

Works as a freelance trombonist, composer, ensemble director and producer of improvised, contemporary and jazz-related music. As a trombonist he regularly performs with the Klangforum Wien, as a composer and ensemble leader, he received commissions from renowned ensembles and institutions (21er Haus Wien, ensemble fŸr neue musik zŸrich, NDR Big Band, Jazz Festival Saalfelden É).

He co-founded the JazzWerkstatt Wien and works intensely as the artistic director of the self founded chamber ensemble Studio Dan. He has received numerous grants and awards (Staatsstipendium fŸr Komposition 2015, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik/Bestenliste 02/2010,É)

Furthermore, he works/ed, among others with Elliott Sharp, Vinko Globokar, Michel Doneda, Friedrich Cerha and the ensemble Òdie reiheÓ.

He lives with cellist Maiken Beer and his two children in Vienna.

"Born 1981 in Tulln, Lower Austria, studied Jazz-Drums at the "Konservatorium Wien" University

Performances In Austria: among others Szene Wien, WUK, Porgy&Bess, Jazz Fest Wien, Klezmore Festival Wien, Glatt & Verkehrt Krems, Jazzfestival Saalfelden, Kaleidophon Ullrichsberg, Artacts Festival, Unlimited Wels, Popfest ViennaIn Germany: among others Moers Festival, "Frischzelle" Cologne, Triennale Cologne, tff Rudolstadt, Enjoy Jazz Festival Mannheim, Philharmonic Hall Hamburg, Beethoven Festival BonnRest of the World: Italy, Luxemburg, Rumania, Switzerland, Serbia, Slowenia, Hungary and the USA.

Recordings and Shows for various TV and radio stations (among others ORF, WDR)

Records with the Klezmer-Band Nifty's ("Takeshi Express","Naftularasa"), /w Maja Osojnik Band ("Crne Vode"), /w Hannes Löschel Stadtkapelle ("Herz.Bruch.Stück","Im Wirtshaus"), w/ Exit Eden feat. Phil Minton ("Songs of Innocence"), w/ the Low Frequency Orchestra ("S", "Das Spiel vom Kommen und Gehen", LFO & Wolfgang Mitterer "MOLE"), the viennese duo "Die Strottern" and many more

Numerous Theatre Projects For Kids /w Ensemble TeTeTe ("Theresas Traum", "Gregors Garten", "Antonioni Antonini und die größte Schau der Welt", "Bienenkino"), /w Lukas Thöni ("Draußen bei den Farben"), /w Karin Steinbrugger ("Es gibt so Tage")

Dance and Performance Productions w/ Dominik Grünbühel and Luke Baio: "Dudes II", "Shoot Me", "Good Cop/Bad Cop Cycle" and "De-Il-Lusion"; w/ Hannes Löschel and Rose Preuss: "Paradise Lost: Exit Eden", w/ Karin Steinbrugger ("Es gibt so Tage"), w Lukas Thöni ("Draußen bei den Farben")

Accompanying Musician at the institute of Contemporary Dance Education at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna: university professorship since September 2015

Collaborations among others w/ David Helbock, Katharina Klement, Phil Minton, Wolfgang Mitterer, Hannes Löschel, Max Nagl, Burkhard Stangl, Maja Osojnik, Christian Reiner, Daniel Riegler, Fabian Rucker, Clemens Salesny, Jorge Sanchez-Chiong, Bernd Satzinger, Achim Tang, Clayton Thomas, Lukas Thöni, Andreas Waelti, Clemens Wenger, Studio Dan, Jazzwerkstatt Wien, Low Frequency Orchestra, Maohl's Gift and many more."

"Matthias Muche (D) trombone, born in 1972 lives in Cologne and works as musician and media artist. He studied trombone at the Amsterdam School of the Arts, in Rotterdam and at the "Hochschule für Musik" in Cologne with Bart van Lier, Henning Berg and Paulo Alvares and also audiovisual media with Anthony Moore at the academy of media arts cologne. Muche works in several formations, e.g. with the James Choice Orchestra, Das Mollsche Gesetz, Nils Klein Tentett, Schäl Sick Brass Band and with Mischa Mengelberg, Larry Ochs and Robyn Schulkowsky, having concert tours through Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

As media artist, Muche combines contemporary music with new media in his audiovisual works. his latest works were presented in bern, paris and during the Art Cologne. Together with Sven Hahne he has been Artistic Director of the FRISCHZELLE festival for Intermedial Performance since 2004. Furthermore he is founder member of ZEITKUNST, which is an association for the advancement and conveyance of audiovisual art."

"Constantin Herzog was born in Wertheim am Main and lives in Cologne. He studied jazz and classical double bass at the College of Music, Würzburg and Cologne, with Detmar Kurig, Dieter Manderscheid and Rudi Engel. As a performer, his work includes improvised music, new music and jazz. He played with Blutiger Jupiter, Sebastian Gramss's "Bassmasse", Pegelia Gold's "Art Zentral" and "Les Polychromes", and the gRoBA Orchestra."

"Born 1980 in Lower Austria; study at the 'Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst' in Vienna. 2001, 2006 and 2009 Hans Koller Prize, 2013 Harry Pepl Prize. 2004 So-founder of the 'JazzWerkstatt Wien', since 2009 - teacher of saxophone and ensemble/live performance at the VMI-Vienna Music Institute, various workshops (Jazzseminar Schönbach, Musikforum Viktring).

International concerts and collaboration with Harry Pepl, Bumi Fian, Herbert Joos, Steven Bernstein, Eddie Henderson, Joe Zawinul, Michael Mantler, Kirk Lightsey, Jerry Gonzalez, Oliver Lake, Sunny Murray, Uri Caine, Elliott Sharp, Max Nagl, Wolfgang Reisinger, Andy Manndorff, Thomas Gansch, Georg Breinschmid, Peter Herbert, Wolfgang Mitterer, Franz Hautzinger, Armin Pokorn, Michel Godard, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Denis Colin.

(...) His characteristic sound, his energetic virtuosity on his instruments and his stylistic diversity as a frontman or sideman constantly impress his audience (...) - Jury of the Hans Koller Prize.

Album releases (Selection): Harry Pepl & Salesny/Bayer/Frosch/Heginger, Salesny/Schabata/Preuschl/Joos 'Live', Clemens Salesny Electric Band 'Live At JazzWerkstatt', Salesny/Schabata/Preuschl + Herbert Joos, Clemens Salesny/Clemens Wenger 'Die wilden Jahre', Clemens Salesny/Bumi Fian Quintett 'Always Blue', Die Strottern & JazzWerkstatt Wien 'Wo fangts an', Synesthetic Octet 'Rastlos', Michael Mantler 'The Jazz Composer´s Orchestra Update', Max Nagl Ensemble 'Live At Porgy & Bess Vienna', Studio Dan 'Dekadenz'.

In main study lessons, beside the work on sound, embouchure and technique, we focus on the different aspects of improvisation (changes, free, modal etc.) and (saxophone, clarinet) styles. The focus in the ensemble is on improvisation and the relationship between conventional repertoires and contemporary playing concepts. (Clemens Salesny)"

"Born in 1982 in Zams, Tyrol, jazz piano study at 'Tiroler Landeskonservatorium', jazz piano study at 'Gustav-Mahler-Konservatorium' in Vienna under Paul Urbanek, Masterclasses with Jacky Terrasson, Rob McConnel, Bobby McFerrin and Lee Harper. Since 2009 teacher for piano and Ensemble/Live Performance as well as Music Theory, since 2014 Head of Keyboard Instruments at the VMI-Vienna Music Institute.

Collaboration with Billy Cobham, Jeff Richman, Joel Taylor, Wolfgang Puschnig, Ulrich Drechsler, Lorenz Raab, Zipflo Weinrich, Gerd Hermann Ortler (GHO Orchestra), Wolfgang Mitterer Herbert Pirker, Matthias Pichler, Andreas Pichler, Florian Bramböck, Herwig Gradischnig, Sebastian Gille, Stephen Menotti, Paul Hübner, Merke Kazokoglu, Peter Rom, Clemens Salesny, Lukas König, Nicolas Letman-Burtinovic, Flip Philipp, JazzWerstatt Wien, Studio Dan and more.

Activities 2015/16:

- Concerts with the band 'Cafe Drechsler'

- Concerts with the 'Ulrich Drechsler Trio'

- Concerts with 'Sugar Daisy´s Hot Club'

- Oper 'Schneewittchen' (Snow White) by Wolfgang Mitterer

- Europe tour with the band 'Studio Dan'

- Diverse album appearances and radio recordings with 'Studio Dan', Barry Good', Duo Mayr/Tiefenbacher, Wolfgang Mitterer...

Press:

- Michael Tiefenbacher, an exceptional pianist from Tyrol. A name that one should take note of. (Andreas Felber, Ö1)

- Very beautiful sound. Very creative. (Shai Maestro - Pianist at the 'Avishai Cohen Trio')

- I think he´s the only kexboardist to ever do a whole chorus of 5's in 8th note groupings in 7/8 and keep it together! Thats´s some drummer shit! (Joel Taylor - drums at Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Robben Ford...)

It is very important for me to communicate an intuitive approach to music. This means knowing and having a command of your instrument, developing your ear as well as possible, and keep training your musical imagination. (Michael Tiefenbacher)"