Gerd Baier, born 1961 in Heidelberg, Germany, discovered music by introducing himself to the piano at the age of three.

He received a high quality training in classical music from age five to fifteen and at that time starting an extraordinary career as a classical pianist seemed to be obvious. However, when he came in touch with contemporary music he became so enthusiastic that he decided to break with traditions and devote himself to jazz and modern music. An autodidact since then, he developed a highly independent style where the merging of different musical directions is constitutive and a specific way of handling harmony and rhythm shows up in his compositions. Gerd Baier is engaged in different projects, the most part working with his own compositions in Modern and Contemporary Jazz. He performed in important Jazz venues all over Germany and other European Countries as well as at international Jazz festivals. With his formation NorthSide Quartet he played on the major European Jazz Festival “Jazz an der Donau” 2005 alongside Al Jarreau and David Sanborn. Since 2005 he introduces his new compositions in New York on a regular basis.

In February 2009 he appeared in the New York Times, in a review about „Project Perpetuum“, a collaboration of Baier / Gutbrod and dancer Emma Desjardins, a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, New York.

GERDBAND

Gerd Baier: piano & composition, Mario Fadani: bass, Dirik Schilgen: drums

The Gerdband with Mario Fadani on electric bass and double bass and drummer Dirik Schilgen is an exceptional formation, generating a distinctive sound. All three band members are senior masters of technique and improvisation, with a deep passion for their instruments. The trio plays original compositions by Gerd Baier exclusively, which allows ample room for the development of own musical ideas of all members. Expect startling improvisations, melancholic notes and upbeat tempos, atmospheric sounds and thrilling drive.

CURRENT PROJECTS

. Gerdband with Mario Fadani (bass) and Dirik Schilgen (drums)

. Perpetuum Duo with Philipp Gutbrod (drums)

. SideSteps (Rock/Pop Covers)

. AlsWir (theatre project)

FORMER PROJECTS

. NorthSide Quartet with Tobias Jakobi (sax), Monique Heinke (bass) and Philipp Gutbrod (drums)

. Project Perpetuum (Choreography and Improvisation)

CDs

. Gerdband - Berggeflüster - Mountain Whisper (2011)

. Sidesteps - Sidesteps (2010)

. Gerdband - Tides (2008)

. Gerd Baier / Philipp Gutbrod - Perpetuum (2007)

. NorTHsidE Quartet plays Gerd Baier

. NorTHsidE Quartet – Scenario

CHOICE OF VENUES PERFORMED

. A-trane, Berlin, Germany

. Tonne Dresden, Dresden, Germany

. Jazzkeller Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany

. Jazzclub Burghausen, Burghausen, Germany

. Festival Jazz an der Donau, Germany

. Festival Hessenjazz, Germany

. Festival Thüringer Jazzmeile, Germnay

. Festival Regensburger Jazz Weekend, Radio Bayerischer Rundfunk, Germany

. Jazz Festival Neunkirchen, Germany

. Jazz Festival Emstetten, Germany

. International Jazz Festival Bansko, Bulgaria

. TAP Theater, Vienna, Austria

. Interyernyi Theater St. Petersburg, Russia

. Sounds, Brussels, Belgium

. Skoda Jazz Festival, Brussels, Belgium

. Theater Festival Amsterdam, Netherlands

. Theater Uri, Altdorf, Switzerland

. Goethe Institute, New York, USA

. Chelsea Art Museum, New York, USA

. Rockwood Music Hall, New York, USA

. Puppets Jazz Club, New York, USA

. Miles Jazz Cafe, New York, USA