BIOGRAPHY
With a commanding presence as a creative force in contemporary jazz, Reini P.-Schmölzer has established himself as a distinguished drummer, composer, arranger and bandleader whose work resonates across Europe’s jazz stages and orchestral platforms.
Born in November 1983 in Radenthein, Austria, Schmölzer began his musical journey with formal training in percussion and ensemble performance, later deepening his jazz studies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, where he studied drums under Howard Curtis III and a Master of Music from Jazz Institute Berlin, where he studied composition & drums with John Hollenbeck and David Friedman.
Schmölzer’s multifaceted career spans live performance, studio recording, and collaborations with leading ensembles such as the Frankfurt Radiobigband, RTV Bigband Slovenija, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, NDR Bigband Hamburg, Croatian Radiotelevision Jazz Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra (feat. Lau Højen), and numerous others across Europe. His work seamlessly synthesizes traditional big-band jazz with contemporary compositional techniques, forging a distinctive sonic voice that balances improvisation, ensemble interplay, and innovative orchestration.
In addition, he has shared stage with a wide range of internationally renowned jazz artists from Europe and the United States, including the David Helbock Trio, Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra, Julian Argüelles, Joe Lovano, Michael Abene, Jakob Karlzon, Chris Potter, Jure Pukl and Dave Liebman, among others.
As a bandleader/composer, Schmölzer has released two acclaimed albums with his jazz orchestra: Miraculous Loss Of Signal (UNIT Records, 2012) and Aerial Image (UNIT Records, 2016), both celebrated for their inventive arrangements and dynamic ensemble writing. His next Jazz Orchestra album will be released in fall 2026.
His achievements include the DownBeat Student Music Award for his arrangement of Radiohead’s “Lotus Flower” (2012), commissioned by Frankfurt Radiobigband and recorded on his debut album "Miraculous Loss of Signal", the Outstanding Artist Award from the Austrian Federal Chancellery (2017), selection for the 2013 Metropole Orkest Arrangers Workshop (cond. Vince Mendoza, feat. Richard Bona), as well as numerous scholarships and awards for composition as well as drumming.
Since 2019, Schmölzer is a faculty member teaching Jazz Arrangement and Composition at the Gustav Mahler Privatuniversität Klagenfurt. Since 2023, he has further extended his educational work through contributions to JazzComposersPresent.com, the world’s leading online platform for jazz composition education and professional development.
As respected figure in the European jazz community, Schmölzer’s compositions and arrangements have been performed by leading big bands and orchestras, and he continues to expand the boundaries of jazz composition and performance through both his artistic projects and educational work.
Drums | Composition | Arranging | Conducting
REINHOLD SCHMÖLZER
CV
Curriculum Vitae - Reini P.-Schmölzer
Composer · Arranger · Drummer · Educator
Born: November 1983
Nationality: Austrian
updated: January 2026
Artistic Profile
Reinhold “Reini” P.-Schmölzer is an Austrian drummer, composer, arranger with a strong focus on large ensemble writing, jazz orchestra projects and contemporary jazz composition. His work bridges modern jazz, orchestral thinking and narrative musical forms. He has collaborated with numerous international jazz orchestras, big bands, composers and soloists across Europe.
Selected Collaborations & Productions
Shared stage, studio productions, arrangements and compositions with:
David Helbock Trio, Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra, Frankfurt Radiobigband, Michael Erian, Rob Bargad, Jaka Kopac, Jazzdock Orchestra (Prague, CZ), Wayne Darling, Julian Argüelles, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra feat. Dave Liebman (Aarhus, DK), NDR Bigband (Hamburg, DE), Graz Composers Orchestra, Nina “Fiva” Sonnenberg, Jazzwerkstatt Graz Composers Ensemble, Jakob Karlzon, Croatian Radiotelevision Jazz Orchestra (Zagreb, CRO), Jazz Orchester Regensburg, Oliver Kent, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra feat. Lau Højen, Don Menza, Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra, Malte Schiller, onQ Large Ensemble (Vienna, AT), RTV Bigband Slovenija (Ljubljana, SI), Bastian Stein, Tonč Feinig, Spielvereinigung Süd (Leipzig, DE), Berndt Luef, Morten Ramsbøl, Lungau Big Band (Salzburg, AT), Jure Pukl, Primus Sitter, Notes & Tones Jazz Orchestra (Vienna, AT), Andreas Tausch, Daniel Nösig, Kelag Bigband (Villach, AT), Karen Asatrian, Àngela Tröndle & Mosaik, Ralph Mothwurf Orchestra (Vienna, AT), Ewald Oberleitner, Lucerne Jazz Orchestra (CH), and many more.
Participation in the Metropole Orchestra Arranger Workshop 2013
(conducted by Vince Mendoza, featuring Richard Bona)
Festivals und Venues:
Jazzwerkstatt Graz (A), Jazz over Villach (A), BbFlat (Berlin-D), Jazzinec (Trutnov-CZ), Porgy & Bess (Wien-A), Treibhaus Innsbruck (A), Jazzfestival Saalfelden (A), Internationale Jazztage Stuttgart (D), Jazzland (Wien-A), Northsea Jazzfestival (Rotterdam-NL), Jazzbaltica (Salzau-D), UnDouaDeJazz (Lyon-FRA), Unterfahrt (München-D), JazzDock (Prag-CZ), Kammerlichtspiele (Klagenfurt-A), MMJazzfestival (St.Pölten-A), Jazzfestival Burghausen (Burghausen-D), Jazzwerkstatt Bern (CH), Austrian Soundcheck (Graz-A), Cerkno Jazzfestival (Cerkno-Slo), Izmir European Jazzfestival (TR), Bratislava Jazz Days (SK), Aarhus Jazzfestival (DK), Jarasum Jazzfestival (Gapyeong, Süd-Korea), Skopje Jazz Festival (MK), Copenhagen Jazzfestival (DK), Jazzahead Bremen (D), Carinthischer Sommer (A) uvm.
Discography (as Leader / Composer)
Reinhold Schmölzer & orchest•ra•conteur
• Miraculous Loss Of Signal – UNIT Records, 2012
• Aerial Image – UNIT Records, 2016
Teaching Experience
• Since 2019, Senior Artist for Jazz Arrangement & Composition
Gustav Mahler Private University of Music (GMPU), Klagenfurt, Austria
•.Workshops on drums or composition/arrangement: i.e. NÖ Jazzakademie (Zeillern)
• Presentations on JazzComposersPresent.com, the world’s leading online platform for Jazz-composition, -education and professional development.
• Deutsche Pop-Wien: Musikassistent, Komposition, Arrangement, Orchestrator
• Vienna Music Institute Conservatory of Contemporary Music (VMI): Jazz-Schlagzeug
Education
• 2008–2009 – Master of Music, Jazz-Institute Berlin
(John Hollenbeck, David Friedman)
• 2005–2008 – Bachelor of Arts, University of Music & Dramatic Arts Graz
(Howard Curtis)
• 2003–2006 – Carinthian State Conservatory
Instrumental and Music Pedagogy (IGP) – Erich Bachträgl
• 1990–2002 – Music School Spittal/Drau
(Karl Unterkofler)
Awards & Scholarships
• 2025 - „Kompositionsstipendium“ Bundesministerium Wohnen, Kunst, Kultur, Medien & Sport
• 2017 – Outstanding Artist Award, Austrian Federal Chancellery
• 2014 – Music Support Grant, Federal State of Carinthia
• 2013 – Metropole Orchestra Arranger Workshop
(cond. Vince Mendoza, feat. Richard Bona)
• 2012 – DownBeat Student Music Awards
Category: Arrangement – Large Ensemble
• 2011 – Winner, Jazzverk Composition Competition for Big Band
(Luleå, Sweden)
• 2009 – Outstanding Performance Award w/Jazz4tet „Playgrounds“, Kodolányi Jazz Competition (Siófok, Hungary)
• 2002 – L’Encouragement Scholarship, Kiwanis Club Spittal/Drau
• 2002 – 1st Austrian Drums & Percussion Youth Contest
1st Prize, Feldkirch, Vorarlberg