Stefan Thaler

Stefan Thaler is a Lecturer for Bass & Improvisation at the JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music, affiliated with the Faculty of Music Education. He also serves as Head of the Institute for Theory/Arrangement/Composition within the Faculty of Music. A graduate of the Royal Conservatory The Hague (1999), his expertise spans jazz bass, instrumental pedagogy, and creative arrangement.

• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Bass & Instrumental Pedagogy (Royal Conservatory The Hague, 1999)

Stefan's research and artistic focus centers on Jazz, with emphasis on Music Composition, Arrangement, and Improvisation. His work bridges traditional jazz foundations with contemporary experimentation, as evidenced by his extensive discography and collaborative projects.

His recent publications (CD recordings) highlight collaborations across diverse jazz subgenres, including avant-garde explorations (Sex Violence, 2015), genre fusion experiments (A Joia Escondida, 2020), and conceptual arrangements in both ensemble (More than Swing, 2017) and solo (Retrograde 2, 2021) settings. These works span improvisational techniques, rhythmic complexity, and interdisciplinary artistic approaches.

Scientific Awards:

• 1994 with Kaus Paier Accordeon Project in Castelfidardo (Italy)
• 2000 with Caroline de Rooij Group Hilversum (Netherlands)
• 2005 with Martin Lubenov Jazzta Prasta in Vienna

Stefan combines academic instruction with active performance, having contributed to approximately 50 CD recordings and created theatrical compositions like Jemand (2021), a homage to Johann Kresnik featured in the Carinthian State Exhibition (2020). His work exemplifies the intersection of pedagogy and practical artistry in contemporary music education.