Fritz Pauer

Born in Vienna, Austria, acclaimed European pianist and composer Fritz Pauer began his career in the early 1960s, making his first recording (at age 19) with the Hans Koller quartet in 1962. He moved to Berlin, Germany, 1964-68, and played at Dug's Night Club & Jazzgalery as accompanist for Herb Geller, Johnny Griffin, Don Byas, Booker Ervin, Dexter Gordon, Leo Wright, Carmell Jones, Pony Poindexter, Jimmy Woode and vocalist Annie Ross, recording with many of them.

From 1968-1982 he taught piano at the Jazz Department, Vienna Conservatory. In 1970, Fritz started recording with trumpeter/flugelhornist Art Farmer, a relationship that would continue into the 1990s yielding great recordings, many of which featured originals by Fritz Pauer. After Farmer's death, Pauer continued performing and recording with many fine musicians, and, of course, he composed. He retired from the University in Graz (Austria) Jazzdepartement (1989-2009), where he was accompanist for the vocal class with guest professors Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, Jay Clayton, Laurie Antonioli, Andy Bey, Dena DeRose, Tom Lellis and others. Fritz Pauer died suddenly in 2012. He was one of Europe's most respected jazz musicians. Learn more about Fritz Pauer at his website.