Franz von Chossy

Franz von Chossy was born in Munich, where he started playing the piano as a six-year-old. Through his mother he came to know classical music and his Ukrainian grandmother encouraged him to play folk music on the accordion. Von Chossy moved to the Netherlands to study at the conservatory of Amsterdam with Rob Madna, Karel Boehlee and Rob van Bavel in 1999. In 2003, he moved to New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music, where he was taught by Kenny Barron, Garry Dial, Dave Liebman, John Taylor and Kenny Werner, among others. In New York Franz also studied film composition with Edward Green. Franz leads a trio under his name with which he won the "Dutch Jazz Competition 2006" because of his 'original, dynamic and often virtuoso (inter)play'. Franz won the "Best Soloist" award during the same competition for his 'subtle, spatial and personal play'. In 2009, he won 2nd prize in the international Montreux Jazz solo Piano Competition. He has released three CDs under his own name ("Awakening" 2006 - Challenge Records , "Pendulum" 2009 - Etcetera Records , "When the World Comes Home" 2012 - Jazzsick Records ) which have been praised by the press. Franz von Chossy has performed throughout Europe and the US as well as in Asia (India, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, China, Japan, South Korea), Africa (Tunisia, Marocco) and Australia. Besides leading his own Trio and Quintet he is highly valued for his ensemble-playing in bands like the Pascal Schumacher Quartet, Balkanopolis, Arifa, Fidan. Every once in a while he also gives concerts on church organ. www.franzvonchossy.com "The Franz von Chossy Quintet belongs to the most fascinating and entertaining bands of the Netherlands." (Tim Sprangers, Jazzenzo)