Born and raised in Trier, Stephi Zimmermann started her jazz piano studies in Mainz at the Johannes Gutenberg University with Rainer Böhm and Martin Sasse, but soon decided to switch to the University of Music and Performing Art in Graz/Austria, where she studied with Olaf Polziehn and obtained bachelor’s degrees in jazz piano and music education, as well as a master’s degree in music education.
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Stephi Zimmermann Trio
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Sensitivity, clarity and a certain melancholy – that’s what characterizes the music of Stephi Zimmermann. Guided by a preference for song forms, transparent structures and clear melodies, the pianist combines the language of traditional jazz styles with elements of romanticism, occasionally adding a dash of humor to the mix. In that sense, the repertoire of her trio not only consists of her own original compositions, but also contains arrangements of less familiar jazz standards and even classical works, like for instance an adaptation of a piece from Robert Schumann’s “Forest Scenes”. A fine sense of aesthetics and attention to detail form the common thread, which unifies these contrasting influences.
