Biographie

CHRISTOPH STIEFEL, born in Zürich 29 July 1961, is active in various "musical fields" as a composer, pianist, keyboarder, arranger and producer. He took classical piano lessons as a child, and as a teenager became deeply involved in Rhythm & Blues,  later in Funk, Fusion and Jazz. Besides beiing a member of several Swiss bands, he formed his own Funk-band STILETTO, with whom he produced 2 CD's. As from 1984 he became permanent member of ANDREAS VOLLENWEIDER & FRIENDS for 5 years. With this band he participated in several tours in USA, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia. 

In 1990 he formed his own JAZZ TRIO/ QUARTET, produced 7 CD's (93/95/97/ 01/06/08/10) with the group and played many concerts in Europe with different musicians like Peter Erskine, Charlie Mariano, Jeff Hirshfield, Dieter Ilg, Michel Benita, Roberto Gatto, Matthieu Michel, Joel Allouche, Pat Moret, Marcel Papaux, Thomas Lähns, Reto Suhner, Lionel Friedli, Kevin Chesham a.o.

In july 98 was the first performance of his first orchestral work: a CONCERTO for Piano, String-Orchestra and Percussion performed by the CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF ZUERICH.

2000: LIMMAZONAS, a Duet with Brasilian Percussionist & Singer Fabio Freire. 2003: Nujazz Ambient project Christoph Stiefel’s Envelope Generator involving a lot of synthesizers and electronics.

2005: ISORHYTHMS FOR SOLO PIANO, a new Solo project for piano & electronics.

 2010: New Duet with the swiss Vocalist Lisette Spinnler. Release of the new Duo CD "Bima Sakti" by the german label Traumton in February 2012.

Concerts, Tours, Recordings with:  Ernie Watts, Peter Erskine, Kevin Eubanks, Charlie Mariano, Robin Eubanks, Marvin"Smitty"Smith, Ralph Moore, Brian Bromberg, Heiri Känzig, Dieter Ilg, Michel Benita, Andreas Vollenweider, Max Lässer, Harald Haerter, Jeff Hirshfield, Roberto Gatto, Ray Anderson, Marilyn Mazur, Flavio Boltro, Marcel Papaux, Thomas Lähns, Joel Allouche, Christian Münchinger, Joseph Bowie, Gwilym Simcock a.o.

Concerts, Tours, Recordings mit: Ernie Watts, Peter Erskine, Kevin Eubanks, Charlie Mariano, Robin Eubanks, Marvin"Smitty"Smith, Ralph Moore, Brian Bromberg, Ray Anderson, Heiri Känzig, Dieter Ilg, Nene, Harald Haerter, Marilyn Mazur, Michel Benita, Jeff Hirshfield, Roberto Gatto, Joel Allouche, Andreas Vollenweider, Marcel Papaux, Büne Huber, Patrice Moret, Nat Su, Norbert Pfammater, Stefano Saccon, Lars Lindvall, Bänz Oester, Max Lässer, Marianne Racine, John Voirol, Flavio Boltro, Fabio Freire, Reto Suhner, Frank Möbus, Joseph Bowie, Gwilym Simcock u.a.m. www.christophstiefel.ch

Discography (as Bandleader):

Christoph Stiefel & Stiletto: "Stiletto" AF Records - Phonag 1988
Christoph Stiefel & Stiletto: "Pangani" Pangani Records  - COD 1990
Christoph Stiefel Solo Piano: "A Silent Perspective" Biber Records (D)1991
Christoph Stiefel Quartet: "Between Moon & Sea" Pangani Records-Phonag 1993
Christoph Stiefel Quartet: "Ancient longing" Jazzline Records(D) 1995
Christoph Stiefel Trio: "Sweet Paradox" Jazzline Records(D) 1997
Christoph Stiefel & Fabio Freire: "Limmazonas" RecRec 2000
Christoph Stiefel Trio: "dream of the camel" Enja Records(D) 2001
Christoph Stiefel “Isorhythms for Solo Piano” Pangani Records 2005
Christoph Stiefel Trio: "7 MeilenStiefel" Neuklang Records(D) 2006
Christoph Stiefel "Inner Language Trio" Neuklang Records(D) 2008
Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio: “Fortuna’s Smile” Neuklang Records(D) 2010 
Christoph Stiefel & Lisette Spinnler : "Bima Sakti" Traumton Records (DE) 2012