Thilo has been a prolific touring and recording pianist, key instrument player, and sound designer for over a decade now. Raised in a classical music environment in Bremen, Germany, he broadened his horizons early on by moving to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, as a teenager—an experience that profoundly shaped his musical sensibilities and sparked a lifelong curiosity for cross-cultural expression.
He later pursued studies in jazz piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (Austria) and the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), under the mentorship of Olaf Polziehn, Anders Jormin, and Tord Gustavsen. As a (co-)leader, he has released six albums, contributed to numerous others, and performed in 19 countries across a wide range of settings and stages.
After relocating to Berlin in 2021, Thilo immersed himself in the city’s expansive art scene, embracing a broader vision of sound art and forging interdisciplinary collaborations. His ongoing work with dancer and choreographer Clarissa Rêgo and, more recently, with photographer and visual artist Lara Ovídio, has deeply influenced his approach to composition and performance. Collaborative projects with Uli Rennert, LILAMORS, Sound Pollution Eclectic, and Jan Lovšin further reflect his interest in blending traditional music with contemporary sound practices.
In 2023, Thilo returned to the nature-blessed city of Graz, where he continues to create and perform across instruments, genres, and borders. He is also the curator of Jazzwerkstatt Graz, a festival promoting young progressive jazz from Austria and beyond.
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“highly talented, extraordinarily sensitive …
simply one of Germany’s best at the piano”
Concerto
