The winner is … PAUL KÜPPERS
The winner of the YOUNG JAZZ TALENT AWARD 2023 . PIANO ONLY was chosen on March 31, 2023 in the Jazz Schmiede, Düsseldorf.
The 22-year-old Paul Küppers was able to win the majority of the jury's votes because of his self-confident, traditionally jazz-oriented, virtuosic and technically excellent playing, his consistently clean rhythm and his very good interaction with the band. His presentation consisted of two of his own compositions - Setbacks and Out of the Shadows -, as the third post he played Alone together by Arthur Schwartz.
Paul in 2023 is in his sixth semester studying at the HfMT. College of Music and Dance. Cologne – Bachelor's degree »Music . Jazz / Pop« with lessons from Prof. Hubert Nuss and Prof. Niels Klein. He is band leader of the group PKIII and has appeared as a sideman with the Frederik Hesse Quintet and the fusion band M.E.I.N.E.R.
Paul Küppers - born in 2001 - began his musical education at the age of 7 at the music school J.S. Bach, Leipzig – on the trumpet. In 2017, 9 years later, he began his professional jazz piano lessons with Ferry Dahlke. Paul is a fan of John Coltrane and his music, which he classifies as powerful, virtuosic, spiritual and emotional. "When I first heard »Blue Train«, I thought: I didn't even know that I needed this music!"
CONCERT TOUR OF THE WINNER
In autumn 2023 - in the period September 27th - 30th, 2023 - Paul Küppers will perform with his band at the Bielefeld, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Oldenburg locations.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
since 11.2020 . HfMT Cologne. jazz studies . at Hubert Nuss/Niels Klein
Bandleader PKIII . Sideman with Frederik Hesse's Quintet and the fusion band M.E.I.N.E.R.
Member of the JJO NRW
09.2019 – 09.2020 . New Music Leipzig. Study preparation . with Philip Frischkorn/Robert Lucaciu
Conductor own trio T.72
09.2017 – 08.2019 . first jazz piano lesson . at Ferry Dahlke
08.2011 – 0./2019 . Thomas School in Leipzig . Education . Graduation from high school
2008 – 2018 . Music School J.S. Bach, Leipzig . trumpet lessons
2007 – 2011 . Edouard Manet Elementary School, Leipzig . education
