PROJECTS

In the past years, I have written a lot of music for big bands and jazz orchestras. In 2021, I took the venture of forming my own ensemble and recorded two CDs. Since then, working with this ensemble has become my artistic focus and I feel honored to be able to do so. 

Featuring a stellar line-up of musicians, the Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra has developed into an ensemble of note with each section blending together in such a way that only more established bands sound. In 2022, the Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra released the first album Conspiracy and in 2024 the second album Innuendo followed. Both albums were released on the prestigious German label Mons Records and have been critically acclaimed.

Both recordings can be found on all streaming platforms, or you can purchase a copy of the CDs by sending me an email. If you are interested in acquiring any composition or arrangement or hire me as a composer and arranger for your project, don't hesitate to contact me. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Conspiracy

In September 2022, Mons Records released the new album from the German saxophonist Tobias Hoffmann titled Conspiracy. Under the motto "things just keep getting bigger" this recording follows his 2019 release Retrospective recorded with a nine piece band and this time features a full big band. This recording shows Tobias Hoffmann firmly in control of his composer heart. The band is amazing with each section blending together in such a way that only more established bands sound. This recording certainly makes a statement and that is the Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra is here and can’t be ignored.

The title track Conspiracy was awarded the 3^rd prize at the "Bill Conti Big Band Contest 2021“ organized by the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC). On top of that, the composition Relentless was awarded the 1^st prize in the “Original Composition – Large Ensemble” at the 2022 45^th Annual Downbeat Student Music Awards.

Innuendo

In September 2024, Mons Records released the latest album from the multi-award winning saxophonist, composer and arranger Tobias Hoffmann titled Innuendo. Following the successful album Conspiracy, released in 2022, Innuendo once again sees Tobias in a Big Band setting with an album featuring eight original compositions, including the title track that was awarded “Best Composition” in the category “Original Composition – Large Ensemble” at the 47^th Annual Downbeat Student Music Awards.

With Innuendo, Tobias Hoffmann has delivered a stunning follow-up to his acclaimed 2022 album Conspiracy. From the dynamic title track homage to Queen to the deeply personal Sanctuary to the groundbreaking exploration of through-composed form on Perseverance, this album showcases Hoffmann’s remarkable growth as a composer and arranger. His deft blending of jazz with influences like classical, rock, and minimalism results in a thrillingly eclectic yet cohesive listening experience. Bolstered by a stellar ensemble brimming with virtuosic soloists, Innuendo cements Hoffmann’s reputation as one of the most exciting creative voices in contemporary large ensemble jazz. With this captivating release on Mons Records, he has indeed persevered and elevated his artistry to new heights.

Ever since I have been a musician, there have been two hearts beating in my chest: on the one hand that of the saxophone player and on the other that of the composer and arranger.
It is not always easy for me to unite both. With the Nonet, I have finally not only managed to merge all my different musical influences of the past years but also to write and play music in which I find myself reflected both as a saxophone player and as a composer and arranger.

When in 2017 I started to plan this project and write the music, I didn’t know yet in which direction the music would go, not to mention what was lying ahead of me, which ups and downs I would need to go through and if I would ever be able to realize this project on the level I was aiming for. Looking back, it feels almost surreal to hold the CD in my hands and being able to say that I am very satisfied with the result.

I would like to thank my incredible band. Each of them helped with their commitment, their musicality and their personality to bring this music alive.

Award Winner

The Tobias Hoffmann Nonet has won the 1^st prize in the category “Band” in the 2019 edition of the prestigious and worldwide Online Made in New York Jazz Competition. The judges were Lenny White, Mike Stern and Randy Brecker. This is such an honor for me and the whole band.

Retrospective

Since September 2019, the album Retrospective of the Tobias Hoffmann Nonet is out on the Austrian label Alessa Records. You find the recording on any streaming platform or you can purchase a copy of the CD by sending me an email.

Musicians

Simon Plötzeneder - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Stefan Gottfried - Alto Saxophone
Tobias Hoffmann - Tenor & Soprano Saxophone
Daniel Holzleitner - Trombone
Fabian Rucker - Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone
Christopher Pawluk - Guitar
Philipp Nykrin - Piano 
Andreas Waelti - Bass
Michael Prowaznik - Drums

What others say

"I first met Tobias Hoffmann when he contacted me while I was teaching in Graz and wanted to do some studying with me. When I first heard his writing I was impressed with his melodic and rhythmic ideas. Over a period of time we discussed on how to fine tune some of the musical questions he had asked. This CD is some of the results of our meetings and am very happy with the results. When you listen to the performances you cannot believe the wonderful fat sound he gets out of five horns and four rhythm. This has to do with his sense of orchestration, knowing how to put the right instruments on the right notes creating some interesting colors. Sometimes the music can be quite difficult but for the right reasons and the musicians he assembled to play his music play it superbly from beginning to end both in ensemble playing and the solos including Tobias himself on tenor and soprano saxophones. Some great grooves and great melodies. Please enjoy this recording of Tobias’ work as much I have."

Michael Abene
Grammy winning Producer/Arranger/Educator

Ella Forever - A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

One of the best jazz singers in Austria with a tribute to the First Lady of Jazz,  Ella Fitzgerald.

Awarded with the Jazz Fest Vienna Vocal Award, Karin Bachner shows honor to the legendary songbook recordings of the "First Lady of Jazz", Ella Fitzgerald. Classics from the American Songbook like The Lady Is a Tramp, Mack the Knife, What a Wonderful World, Night and Day and much more will make the audience swing. Karin Bachner and the top-class Pocket Big Band proof that just 8 musicians can bring full big band sound on stage.

In the Mood for Christmas

Every year, hits like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Santa Baby and Winter Wonderland accompany us through the most beautiful but also busiest time of the year. It's all the better when you can listen to these classics of the American songbook in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

Karin Bachner & The Pocket Big Band serve a wide potpourri of beloved Christmas melodies and also let Austrian songs such as Leise rieselt der Schnee or Es wird scho glei dumper sound in a fresh and modern big band sound. With her powerful, charming voice as well as her charismatic stage presence, Karin Bachner already enchanted the audience with her Ella Fitzgerald Tribute. She is one of the most outstanding jazz singers in the country and impresses with her top-class Pocket Big Band at concerts and festivals at home and abroad.
 

From White Christmas to Jingle Bells and Leise rieselt der Schnee to Last Christmas - timeless songs in a jazzy, swinging style will make your heart beat faster! Treat yourself to an extra large portion of Christmas Mood!
 

The Band

Karin Bachner - Vocals 
Herb Berger - Alto Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute & Clarinet
Tobias Hoffmann - Tenor Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet
Simon Plötzeneder - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Robert Bachner - Trombone
Robert Schönherr - Piano & Keys
Johannes Strasser - Bass
Walter Grassmann - Drums 

For more information check out the website of Karin Bachner & The Pocket Big Band.

I am very happy to be a member of the well-known Jazz Bigband Graz since October 2022. It is always an honor and a pleasure to play with such a fantastic ensemble and to share the stage with these great colleagues.
 

The Space Between Us - Music Reflecting our Society

Due to the global situation, our society has been collectively challenged for several years now not only to leave the beaten track, but also to break new ground in many areas. This includes creativity and new ways of thinking. We are also becoming increasingly aware that these challenging times are holding up a mirror to our society and that they are also putting pressure on and changing our interpersonal relationships. Cohesion seems more fragile than ever, but what does that do to each and every one of us?

The new program of the Jazz Bigband Graz entitled The Space Between Us deals precisely with this interpersonal space, which has increasingly come into focus due to the pandemic, and sheds light on the current state of our society. But not with a raised index finger, but with the sensitive expressiveness of music on topics such as “hope”, “fear”, “resistance”, ‘respect’ or “freedom”. These are no longer empty buzzwords of individual sensitivities or personal views, but highly stylized and emotionally discussed topics in the media. What is certain is that a distancing virus has increasingly infiltrated all of our lives in recent months, which in many cases no longer allows us to clearly distinguish reality from fiction.

Horst-Michael Schaffer subtly plays with this tension-filled space and makes it visible in almost epic compositions. On the one hand playfully light, on the other melancholically meditative or even spectacular, as if everything were just an exaggerated unreality, this journey into the human cosmos immerses you in a musical world of its own - somewhere between jazz, pop, world, minimal music and electronics. It brings together some of the best musicians and soloists on the European jazz scene.

With video recordings and a sophisticated sound and lighting design, this program becomes a multimedia experience. A profound and entertaining examination of the present. Contemporary jazz could hardly be more exciting!

The recording can be found on all streaming platforms, or a copy of the CD can be purchased here. 

I am very happy to be part of Ursula Reicher's Globular Cluster. With this formation we play exclusively the great music of Ursi. Her CD Welcome to Dark Matter came out in 2023 and it's well worth listening to.

Welcome to Dark Matter 

The album Welcome To Dark Matter is Ursula Reicher's reminder that "death is the most natural thing next to life." Reicher ventures deep into one of the greatest taboo subjects: death. Determined to transcend her own boundaries as well as those of others, the singer, pianist and composer insists on meeting the delicate space beyond our comfort zone with ease. As an artist who loves challenges, she together with her contemporary big band The Globular Cluster invites us to face the greatest test of all: Finding solace in the beauty and fragility of life, right alongside the melancholy of the great unknown.

Musically, the album explores the stages of grief when words alone are no longer enough. Inspired by the poetry of Masha Kalèko and the research of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, Welcome To Dark Matter is a fusion of influences from jazz, classical music, dark pop and rock. The music is dedicated to all those who are still on earth - the retarded.

On Welcome to Dark Matter Reicher wants to give space to her different musical influences and therefore the album is not a traditional jazz big band album. Elements from classical music, rock music and influences from darkpop as well as electronical musal will be a a part of the music. 

The recording can be found on all streaming platforms, or a copy of the CD can be purchased here.