Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz
Michael Kahr
Curriculum Vitae Dr. Mag.Art. Michael Kahr (PhD, MMus Sydney)
15.02.1975born in Bruck/Mur in Austria to a musical family (father is professional classical trumpet player and music teacher)
Websites: www.mkahr.wordpress.com, www.jazzandthecity.org
Email: office@michaelkahr.com, michael.kahr@kug.ac.at
Current Position:
since 2006Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Jazz at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz
since 2001Freelance jazz pianist, composer and arranger and jazz researcher
Previous Academic Positions:
2013External Lecturer at Institut für Musikwissenschaft, Universität Wien
2011-2013Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Jazz at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz (FWF-project Jazz & the City: Identity of a Capital of Jazz, AR 86 G21)
2013External Lecturer at the University of Vienna in the field of jazz composition and arranging
2002-2004Temporary Lecturer at Sydney Conservatorium of Music/University of Sydney
Selected Research Activities:
2014Reviewer for Journal for Artistic Research, freelance research on artistic research in jazz, voice-leading in jazz and jazz in iran
2011 - 2013Postdoctoral research in the FWF-funded project ‚Jazz & the City: Identity of a Capital of Jazz’
2013Installation of Digital Clare Fischer Archive via https://phaidra.kug.ac.at (restricted access)
2010Research in the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar (Post-Doc)
Organizer and Chair of the 1. International Clare Fischer Symposium at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz
2009Submission of PhD thesis Aspects of Harmony and Context in the Music of Clare Fischer at the University of Sydney
2005Submission of MMus thesis Aspects of Harmony in the Clare Fischer Composition ‚In Memoriam‘ at the University of Sydney
2001Submission of Magister Artium thesis Brad Mehldau: Eine Stilanalyse at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz
Grants and Awards:
2014Eurasia-Pacific UNINET Outgoing Visiting Professorship (Shanghai Conservatorium of Music)
2012Small grant for the installation of the Digital Clare Fischer Archive at the University of Music in Graz
2011Austrian Science Fund FWF-PEEK Research Grant (2011 – 2013)
Morroe Berger – Benny Carter Jazz Research Award
GSK Graduate Support (Austrian Ministry of Science)
2009Fulbright Scholar Award (January – March 2010)
Grant for Organization of 1. International Clare Fischer Symposium (Austrian Ministry for Science, Styrian Federal Council for Science)
2008GSK Graduate Support (Austrian Ministry for Science)
2005Endeavour International Research Scholarship and International Postgraduate Award (Australian Government), Emanuel und Sophie Fohn Award
Invitation/Grant to Jazz Composers Residency Program JazzAhead at Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., USA
2004Margaret Henderson Donation Account (Sydney, AUS)
2003Sydney Conservatorium International Scholarship with Merit, Various grants by Austrian Federal Chancellery, SKE Fonds, City Council Graz for MMus studies at the University of Sydney
2002Various grants by Austrian Ministry f. Science, SKE Fonds, City Council Graz for MMus studies at the University of Sydney and CD-production Stories
2001Erasmus Scholarship for studies at the Musikhochschule Cologne
2000Grant for workshop ‘Jazz in July’ at the Amherst University of Massachusetts with Dr. Billy Taylor, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton and Winard Harper
1999Grant for 10. IASJ-Jazzmeeting in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
Lecturing Activities:
2006 - presentSenior Lecturer at University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Institute for Jazz (jazz piano and assistance in jazz theory, composition and arrangement, applied jazz theory and selected seminars in jazz analysis and jazz history), member of examining board for pedagogical studies
2014Guest professorship at Shanghai Conservatorium (workshops in jazz piano, improvisation, composition, theory and jazz research methods)
2013External Lecturer at the University of Vienna in the field of jazz composition and arranging
2011Lectures at Rutgers University in Newark, USA; Keynote and Workshops at Annual Meeting of Music Pedagogues in Styria, Austria
2010Lecture recital (Mount San Antonio College, U.S.)
2003 – 2004Temporary Lecturer at Sydney Conservatorium of Music (jazz ensemble, jazz piano and theory)
2003Student choir accompanist and piano tutor at Bondi Beach Public School
1997 – 2000 Private teaching at private music school Grasnitz/Austria
Education:
2010Award ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (PhD) at University of Sydney
2005 - 2009PhD studies at University of Sydney
2005Award ‚Master of Music‘ (MMus) at University of Sydney
2002 - 2004Master of Music Studies at Sydney Conservatorium of Music/University of Sydney with Mike Nock and Bill Motzing (jazz piano, composition and arrangement) – artistic graduation with high distinction
2001Graduation (MMus equivalent - Magister Artium) at University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz with high distinction (jazz piano)
1997-2001Studies in Jazz Piano at University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz
2001Studies at the Musikhochschule Cologne with John Taylor (Piano) and Bill Dobbins (improvisation and theory/analysis)
19981. Diploma jazz trumpet at the University of Music Graz
1993-1998Studies in Jazz Trumpet at University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz
1985 – 1997Classical piano education
1980 – 1985first musical experience (recorder and trumpet)
Peer-Review Activities
Journal for Artistic Research (2014)
Publications and Presentations:
Book
Kahr, M. Jazz in Graz von 1965 bis 2015. (Beiträge zur Jazzforschung / Studies in Jazz
Research 15), Adeva (2015 forthcoming).
Academic Theses
Kahr, M. Aspects of Context and Harmony in the Music of Clare Fischer, PhD thesis, University of Sydney (2009).
Kahr, M. Aspects of Harmony in the Clare Fischer Composition ‚In Memoriam‘, MMus thesis, University of Sydney (2005).
Kahr, M. Brad Mehldau. Eine Stilanalyse. Magister Artium thesis, Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz (2001).
Articles
Kahr, M. “Jazz in Iran: Post-revolutionary jazz in Iran”, in: Jazz under Totalitarian Regimes
(Transnational Studies in Jazz), ed. Bruce Johnson, Routledge (2015 forthcoming).
Kahr, M. “Artistic research in jazz: A case study and potential developments”. Music and
Sonic Arts: Theories and Practice. Cambridge Scholars Press, ed. Mine Dogantan-Dack (2015 forthcoming).
Bruckner-Haring C. and Michael Kahr. “Jazzwerkstatt Graz: A Young Austrian Jazz
Initiative”, This is our music: The Cultural Politics of Jazz Collectives, eds. Tony Whyton and Nicholas Gebhardt, Routledge (2014 forthcoming)
Kahr, M. “Herbie Hancock, Chromatic Harmony and Clare Fischer“, in: Jazzforschung / Jazz Research 46 (2014 in print).
Kahr, M. “Jazz Komposition: Theorie und Praxis“, in: Folkwang Studien (2014 in print).
Kahr, M., “Upper Styrian Big Band Folk – Exploring Local Authenticity and Identity in
Jazz“, in: Journal for Artistic Research 3 (2013).
Kahr, M. „Conference Report, Part II: ‚Rhythm Changes II: Rethinking Jazz Cultures‘, Salford (UK), April 11-14, 103, in: Jazz Research News 44 (2013), 2072-2074.
Bruckner-Haring and Kahr, M., “Jazzwerkstatt Graz: A Young Austrian Jazz Initiative”, in:
Jazz Research Journal 5.1/2 (2011), 176-186.
Kahr, M., “Projektvorstellung: Jazz & the City”, Jazz Research News 39 (2011), 1852-
1854.
Kahr, M., “Announcement of the First International Clare Fischer Symposium”, in: Jazz
Research News 34 (2010), 1628-1630.
Kahr, M., “Transcultural Transformations: Dimitri Shostakovich and Clare Fischer”, in: Problemy Muzikal'noi Nauki , Vol. 5, Moscow (2009), 39-47.
Kahr, M. „Current Tendencies in Jazz Theory“, Jazzforschung/Jazz Research 40 (2008), 113-124.
Invited Talks
‚Towards the analysis of linear aspects in jazz harmony’ Invited talk and panel discussion at jazz research workshop at University of Weimar (2014)
‚Herbie Hancock, Chromatic Harmony and Clare Fischer’, Jazzdebatten/Jazzanalysen Tagung in Darmstadt (2013)
‚Kreativität und Wissenschaft’ Science Goes Public Series organized by the Austrian Ministry of Science (2013)
‚Analytische Beobachtungen zum Streicherklang in Rock- und Popmusik’, Popularmusikkonferenz Kunstuni Graz (2012)
‚The Music of Clare Fischer’ Rutgers University, Jazz Research Round Table (2011)
‚Jazz Pop Rock im Musikschulunterricht’ Keynote Address at the Annual Conference of Music Educators (2011)
Conference Papers and Presentations
‚Jazz in Iran‘, Rhythm Changes III conference, Amsterdam (2014)
‚Die Entwicklung des Grazer Jazzinstitutes als Rollenmodell für die akademische Jazzausbildung in Europa’, Hochschule der Künste Bern (2014)
‚The academic jazz institution in Graz and its role in promoting jazz in Europe’, Jazz Talks Conference, Aveiro University Portugal (2013)
‚Upper Styrian Big Band Folk: A case study of artistic research regarding the use of historical resources in the contemporary musical expression of a rural community in the European Alps’ ICTM Conference at Shanghai Conservatory of Music (2013)
‚Out of nowhere: The role of jazz institutions in Graz in the formation of jazz identity’ Rhythm Changes Conference in Salford (2013)
‚Artistic Research in Jazz – A Case Study’ MuSA Conference Karlsruhe (2012)
‚Identität der Jazzstadt Graz’ Lange Nacht der Forschung Graz (2012)
‚Jazzkomposition: Theorie und Praxis’ GMTH Essen (2012)
‚Jazz & the City’ Rhythm Changes Conference Amsterdam (2011)
‚Improvisation and composition in the music of Clare Fischer: I am a writer who plays piano’ 11th International Jazz Research Conference, Leeds (2011)
‚The music of Clare Fischer’ Lecture Recital Mount San Antonio College, Los Angeles (2010)
‚Presenting the Digital Clare Fischer Archive and a recent dissertation on the music of Clare Fischer’ 1st international Clare Fischer Symposium, Graz (2010)
‚Emotional motiviert: Kompositorische und Improvisatorische Strukturen in der Musik von Clare Fischer’ 9th International Music Theory Conference, Mainz (2009)
‚Die Jazztheorie als interdisziplinäres Fach’ 8th International Music Theory Conference, Graz (2008)
‚Considering the socio-cultural context in jazz analysis: A comparative study of Clare Fischer’s and Dimitri Shostakovich’s music’, 8th International Jazz Research Conference, Leeds (2008)
CD-Productions
SaxallegrO, compositions for saxophone and church organ, Barnette Records (2014) - comp.
Dorothea Jaburek, Mei eigne Wöd, Firmamendt Records fm 002 (2014) - arr., p.
Rondo Vienna, 3, Preiser Rec. 91247 (2013) - p.
High Styria Big Band, Upper Styrian Big Band Folk, Manus (2011) - comp., arr., p.
Rondo Vienna, Strong Enough, Preiser Rec. (2011) - arr., p.
missImister, Bittersweet, Cracked Anegg Records KEG LC 09587 (2008) - comp., arr., p.
m&m, m&m, MM Records 01 (2005) - comp., arr., p.
Heidi Krenn Quartett Austrian Young Lions, Universal Music 980865-4 (2003) - p.
Michael Kahr Quartett, Stories, Mr.D. Music 4029661023148 (2002) - comp., arr., p., tp.
Klangdebüts, The Dukebox, KUG 17 (2000) - arr., p.
Faton M. Macula, I Remember You, MGR 98002-2 (2000) - comp., arr., p.
Trijok, Spring, A-Jok Records 11570394 (1995) - tp.
Selected Compositions
Spaziergang für Saxofon und Orgel, approx. 4’ (UA 2012, rec. 2014)
Upper Styrian Big Band Folk for large jazz orchestra, commissioned by ‘High Styria Big Band’, approx. 60’(2010-2011)
Bittersweet, song cycle, commissioned by ensemble ‘missImister’, approx. 63’ (rec. 2007)
Iran, arrangements for 3 soprano voices and small ensemble, approx. 40’ (2008)
Strong Enough, No.3, 5 arrangements for String Ensemble commissioned by ‘Rondo Vienna’, total approx. 20’ (2009)
Mosaic, 2 compositions for jazz group, commissioned by Australian ensemble ’Mosaic’, approx. 13’ (2007)
Aspekte, 1+1=3, commissioned by ‘SaxallegrO’, approx. 23’, premiered at International Saxophone Congress in Ljubljana (2006), Austrian Premier at Musikforum Viktring (2007)
Aquarius, various compositions and arrangements of classical music, commissioned by ‘Mona Lisa String Quartet’, approx. 72’ (2004-06)
m&m, song cycle for vocal piano duo ‘m&m’, approx. 60’ (2005-06)
We See Our World, commissioned by ‘Gospel Choir Graz’, approx. 15’ (2005)
Suite for 3 Flugelhorns and Trumpets, commissioned by Koch Music, approx. 15’ (2003)
Africa, 2 compositions for medium-large world music ensemble ‘European-African Jazz Orchestra’, approx. 15’ (2002)
Approx. 120 leadsheet-type songs and jazz tunes (1993 – 2014)
Selected Artistic Activities:
2014CD-presentation concerts „Mei eigene Wöd“ w/Dorothea Jaburek, video recording w/Heidi Krenn, various performances in Austria (Porgy & Bess, Stadttheater Leoben) and Shanghai
2013Performances at JZ Club Shanghai and Hangzhou, Pianistengasse Wien, CD-
recording w/Dorothea Jaburek (www.dorotheajaburek.com)
2012Composition commission for Ensemble SaxallegrO
Performances at Austrian Cultural Forum Washington D.C.
2011Composition commission for Styraburg Festival
2010Large composition for Big Band (Upper Styrian Big Band Folk), based on Styrian Folk music (premiere autumn 2010)
Concerts with missImister, Rondo Vienna in Austria, U.S., Cyprus, Germany, Belgium; Kahr-Harms Quartet at Austrian Cultural Center in Teheran/Iran, Lecture recital at Mount San Antonio College in U.S. with Gary Foster (sax)
2009Concerts with 3 Iranian Sopranos in London (Cadogan Hall) and Vancouver (Centennial Theatre); Concerts with missImister (Radiokulturhaus, Porgy&Bess)
Arrangements and compositions for string group ‚Barbara Helfgott and Rondo Vienna’ (CD ‚Strong Enough’), concerts with Rondo Vienna throughout Austria (Wien Rathausplatz)
2008Arrangements and concert in London with ‚3 Iranian Sopranos’ (Cadogan Hall); CD-Release m&m ‚Bittersweet’; concert at Austrian Cultural Forum in Zagreb; study trips to Iran and U.S.; compositions for symphonic orchestra
2007 Concert tour in Australia with Mosaic (www.maju.com); concerts with drummer legend Ed Thigpen (Royal Garden Jazz Club), m&m, Mona Lisa, Michael Kahr Quartet;
CD-Produktion m&m ‚Bittersweet’ with the label www.crakedanegg.com (www.mm-music.at)
2006Composition commission for Ensemble SaxAllegro – Premiered at Internationalen Saxophoncongress Ljubljana; Concert tour in Finland mit Sanni Orasmaa Quartet (UMO Jazz Club), various concerts with Mona Lisa String Quartet and Richard Oesterreicher
2005Jazzfestival Wiesen Main Stage (Michael Kahr Quartett), various concerts in Austria, Slowenia, Egypt, France, Finland (w/Sanni Orasmaa) and U.S. (Kennedy Center Washington D.C.)
2004Composition commissioned by Gospel Chor Graz; various concerts in Austriaand Australia
2003Concert tour in Australia with Michael Kahr Quartet
2002Jazz Festival in Saint-Louis (Senegal) with European African Jazz Orchestra
Concert tour in Serbia with Karl-Heinz Miklin Quartet
Concert tour in Salzburg/Oberösterreich with Lungau Big Band feat. Bobby Shew; CD-Production - Michael Kahr Quartet (Stories)
2001Jazz Festival in Saint-Louis (Senegal) as pianist and composer with European African Jazz Orchestra (OJEA) led by Francois Jeanneau (France); Fete de la Musique in Paris mit OJEA
1999Worldmusic concert tour in Germany with Rüdiger Oppermann (Harp) and Jatinder Thakur (Tablas) (India)
1993First public concert as a jazz pianist, trumpeter and bandleader
Freelance work as a pianist, composer and arranger in the area of jazz, pop, rock, Latin music and Avant-garde
in many EU countries (Austria, Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain, Slovenia, Cyprus, Croatia, Hungary, Poland), Serbia, USA, China (Shanghai, Hangzhou), Australia, Africa (Senegal, Egypt)…
with Ed Thigpen, Gary Foster, Dusko Gojkovic, Bobby Shew, Michael Abene Karl-Heinz Miklin, Richard Oesterreicher, Jay Clayton, Winard Harper, Mark Murphy, Wayne Darling, Arni Egilsson, Dick Oatts, John Riley, Jazz Big Band Graz, Big Band Süd…
Appearances as pianist, composer and arranger
at international festivals such as Jazzfestival Wiesen (Austria), Musikforum Viktring (Austria), Jazzfestival Leibnitz (Austria), Jazzfestival St. Louis (Senegal), Fete de la Musique (Paris), Austrian Cultural Forums (Teheran, Washington D.C. and Zagreb)…
at major venues such as Porgy&Bess (Vienna), Orpheum (Graz), UMO Jazz Club (Helsinki), Basement (Sydney), Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), JZ Club (Shanghai), Cadogan Hall (London), Centennial Center (Vancouver)…
