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Pascal Schumacher
Pascal Schumacher was born on March 12, 1979, in Luxemburg. He starts his studies as a percussionist at the classical music department of the Conservatoire de Musique de la Ville de Luxembourg (L) and obtains the Prix Supérieur in 1999. In 1996 he is accepted at the Conservatoire National de Région de Strasbourg (F) (teacher: Emmanuel Séjourné) where he receives the diploma for “Specialising Keyboard” in 2000, with congratulations from a unanimous jury.
From 1997 on he studies with jazz vibraphone player Guy Cabay, first at the jazz department of the Conservatoire de Luxembourg, where he obtains the Prix Supérieur with distinction in 2001, later at the jazz department of the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles (B), where he obtains a bachelor degree in June 2003. In 2005 he graduates then at Koninklijk Conservatorium of The Hague (NL) with Frits Landesbergen (master)
He also receives a master’s degree of musicology at the Université Marc Bloch de Strasbourg (F) in 2002.
Pascal also followed master classes and workshops with Gary Burton, Mike Manieri, David Friedman, Stefon Harris, Franck Tortiller, Wolfgang Lackerschmid, Jean Geoffroy, Charles Loos, Scott Prebys…
In 1995, he co-founds the ensemble Interchange with saxophonist Nadine Kauffmann. In 1998, he receives the „IKB Jugend-Förderpreis“. In 1999, he is laureate of the Prix Norbert Stelmes des Jeunesses Musicales Luxembourg. In 2001, he is co-founder of the experimental percussion group Stroke X. From 2001 to 2003 he co-leads Greg Lamy - Pascal Schumacher Quartet. In 2004, Pascal Schumacher wins with his quartet the First Prize as well as the Public Prize at the famous Tremplin Jazz Avignon (F). In October 2005, Pascal receives the Belgium Jazz Trophy Django d’Or in the category “New Talent”.
From 1997 on, Pascal orientates himself more towards improvised music, especially jazz music, and regularly performs with different bands, such as Kristen Cornwell Quintet, Marc Demuth Quartet, Gasz3, Chroma…. He is very busy in different jazz scenes, with concerts alongside a.o. Fabrice Alleman, Joachim Badenhorst, Jonas Burgwinkel, Bruno Castelucci, Jan De Haas, Jim Grandcamp, Ernie Hammes, Chris Joris, Sal La Rocca, Davide Petroca, Paolo Radoni, Sofia Ribeiro, Brice Soniano, Oliver Strauch, Erwin Vann…
In 2003 he forms his own quartet: Pascal Schumacher Quartet with Jef Neve on piano, Christophe Devisscher on bass and Teun Verbruggen on drums. They recorded their “Debut Album” *Change Of The Moon* for IGLOO Records in November 2003, released in March 2004. The band tours from that moment in Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Holland, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Australia, South Africa… The second album *Personal Legend* (IGLOO Records)(www.igloorecords.be) was recorded in august 2005 and released in November 2005.
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Pascal Schumacher Quartet: Bang My Can
![Read "Bang My Can" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/2010/pascalschumacherquartet_bangmycan_bl.jpg)
by Bruce Lindsay
Bang My Can is the Pascal Schumacher Quartet's fifth album, and it finds the band expanding its range as it creates yet more fascinating music. Schumacher, the Quartet's Luxembourg-born leader, is an exceptional vibes player with a sparkling, fluid sound that is by turns romantic, cheeky, and dark. The band has been together in this lineup since 2008, when pianist Franz Von Chossy replaced original member Jef Neve, and the players have developed a strong understanding that leads to some ...
read morePascal Schumacher Quartet: Here We Gong
![Read "Here We Gong" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/2010/pascalschumacherquartet_herewegong_bl.jpg)
by Bruce Lindsay
Here We Gong is the Pascal Schumacher Quartet's fourth album since its formation in 2002. A richly-rewarding album full of inventive melodies, tremendous playing, warmth and good humor, it establishes the Quartet at the forefront of the burgeoning European scene and Schumacher as one of the finest vibes players in contemporary jazz. The Quartet's instrumental line-up--with vibes, gongs, drums, piano and glockenspiel to the fore--puts the emphasis squarely on percussion, but the differing materials used in these ...
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