Fabian Arends

Fabian Arends is a German jazz drummer, composer, and educator born on March 16, 1990, in Friesoythe. He currently serves as a Lecturer for Drums, Ensemble, and Improvisation at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart (HMDK Stuttgart) since 2016. Originally from Lower Saxony, Arends studied Jazz-Drums at the Cologne University of Music (HfMT Cologne), graduating in 2014.

His creative work spans acoustic jazz performance and electronic music production. Arends leads multiple ensembles including his quartet, Fosterchild (a German-Danish collaboration), and Fractures. He has performed at major international festivals including JazzBaltica, Elbjazz, Moers Festival, and Copenhagen Jazzfest, collaborating with renowned artists such as Lee Konitz, Larry Goldings, Maria Schneider, and Marc Copland.

Arends' musical output demonstrates a progression from acoustic jazz quartet recordings to more experimental projects blending acoustic and electronic elements. His work with Fractures explores 'fractured' perspectives on composition, while his electronic projects like Expo Dreams and Sonic Recreation showcase his exploration of modular synthesis and sound design. His recordings reveal a consistent interest in textural exploration, improvisational frameworks, and the intersection of composition and spontaneous creation.

• Musikpreis des Landes Niedersachsen (2010)
• Sparda Jazzprize (2012, 2013, 2014)
• Münchener Jazzpreis (2014)
• Scholar of the Arts Foundation Baden-Württemberg (2018)
• Nominated for Echo Jazz in the category Newcomer of the year (2016)

As an educator, Arends focuses on practical musicianship, emphasizing improvisation techniques and ensemble interaction. His professional activities extend beyond performance to include music production, with recent work exploring modular synthesizers and electronic sound design. His creative approach centers on establishing 'sustainable musical relationships' as the foundation for artistic exploration.