Copyright: Patrick Essex

Stefan Karl Schmid is "without question one of the most intereting saxophonists of the young German jazz scene" (jazzandrock.com). With "a sound language full of nuances" (Kölner Stadtanzeiger) and an always "alert intellect" (DLF), the half-Icelandic, half-German has already "found his own personal style" (Mannheimer Morgen). He implements this style with great detail and virtuosity in diverse projects and ensembles, both as a saxophonist/ clarinettist and as a composer.

Schmid spreads his artistic work over various formations, which he leads partly alone, partly together with his band colleagues. From the intimate duo with pianist Lars Duppler, to trio and quartet formations (MUSE & Schmid's Huhn), to large ensembles such as his octet Pyjama or the Subway Jazz Orchestra, he impresses both playfully and compositionally with a "masterful sound language full of nuances that can be savoured with all the senses" (H.P. Koll).

On ten releases under his own name and more than 40 recordings as a sideman so far, it becomes clear with what creative intensity Stefan Karl Schmid gives expression to his artistic voice. He not only drives his own formations, but also impresses as an empathetic sideman (Reza Askari ROAR, Shannon Barnett Quartet), whose strength lies in his ability to blend into the collective sound, in shaping large arcs of tension and highly complex structures. He always does so on the basis of an individual expressive voice that knows how to stand out, but always feels deeply committed to the music as a whole.

Schmid studied in Nuremberg, Cologne and New York. He was a member of the Bundes Jazzorchester, curates concert series and teaches as a professor for jazz saxophone and ensemble at the University of Arts in Mannheim.

Press Quotes:

‘With his refined tone, Schmid identifies himself as a modern descendant of the cool-jazz tradition. But he can also grip, and even in highly expressive power play, one notices the overview and control of an alert intellect in his lines.’
- Odilo Clausnitzer, Deutschlandfunk

’It's admirable within which accuracy and simultaneous emotional intensity Schmid (saxophone and clarinet) is able to conduct his instruments. Sometimes melancholic-quiet, sometimes explosive and hectic (including all shapes in between) he acts focused and strong [...]’
- Andreas Keller, RP

’Schmid's pieces as a whole make such a carefully crafted impression, seemingly untangled and precisely shaped in sound, that one has to simply admire the overview and attention to detail of the compositional work.’
- Hans-Jürgen Linke, Frankfurter Rundschau

'[...] I also found Florian's Slow Motian a compelling listen as it featured the moodily glowing chalumeau clarinet of Stefan Schmid. [...] Schmid's purring clarinet swoons loftily over and understated cloak of muted brass outlining post 1980s harmonies extended over long and open phrasings. Sublime stuff.
- Sebastian Scotney, London Jazz

'[...] Michel Reis has truly found a congenial partner in Stefan Karl Schmid who's subtle shaded playing is full of nuances and sensitivity which leads him substentially through his intelligently build solos.'
- Benno Bartsch, Jazzpodium

'Drift King, the opening statement of the german-icelandic saxophonist Stefan Karl Schmid, could not be more beautiful [...]'
- Michael Rüsenberg

'[...] Among the soloists, my ear was caught by young German/Icelandic tenor saxophonist Stefan Karl Schmid. He plays a clean line, and from the evidence of a CD I was given, he is also a characterful and interesting composer. The CD is "Olaf Lind" on the Cologne Jazzhausmusik label. Schmid's compositions use two intertwining saxophone voices well, to creating surprising calm and space in unusual meters.'
- Sebastian Scotney, London Jazz

'Stefan is an excellent young saxophone player [...]. He has a beautiful sound and his outstanding technical abilities open up many possibilities [...].'
- Bob Mintzer, USC Los Angeles

Endorsements:

Stefan Karl Schmid plays Silverstein Ligatures.

Jazz saxophonist Stefan Karl Schmid went to school in Grünstadt, is based in Cologne and has recently become a jazz professor in Mannheim. He also recently introduced his new album "Muse".

Mr. Schmid, you are an enthusiastic jazz player, your brother Helgi an actor. Do the artistic genes run in your family?
Our parents and grandparents didn't pursue artistic professions. What was much more decisive for my brother and me was that we were in the privileged and not self-evident situation of being unconditionally supported and encouraged by our parents and thus being able to follow what was close to our hearts.

Did you always want to be a jazz saxophonist?
When I started playing the saxophone at the age of nine, I didn't have the faintest idea about jazz. My teacher at the time, Frank Metzger, at the Bad Dürkheim Music School, gradually introduced me to it, and my later entry into the Rhineland-Palatinate State Youth Jazz Orchestra finally awakened my fascination.

You grew up in Grünstadt and then established yourself in Cologne. Since October of last year, you've been a professor of jazz saxophone at the Mannheim Musikhochschule. A conscious return to the metropolitan region - or more of a coincidence?
That's right, I went to school in Grünstadt. My studies then took me to Nuremberg for five years before I completed master's degrees in Cologne and New York. I have been living in Cologne for over ten years now. The professorship in Mannheim is an absolutely fortunate coincidence, as there are only a few such positions throughout Germany and they are also hard to come by. In this respect, I am very pleased to have more contact with the metropolitan region again.