ZEITEN UND ZEICHEN
Alex Trebo
Name: Alex Trebo
Lives: Berlin
Instrument: Keyboard
Musical beginnings: When I was 4 and visiting relatives, my uncle's keyboard completely hypnotised me. I spent many hours playing it, as if in a trance. Of course, my parents were immediately convinced that they should encourage my musical talent and sent me first to recorder lessons and then piano lessons. Right from the start, I had a strong spontaneous streak in playing and a great love of composing and improvising developed - although much to the amazement and annoyance of my piano teacher, who perhaps didn't always get a perfect classical performance, but instead experienced a fresh-sounding, self-arranged version of a concert piece.
Career highlights: A self-penned song, Three Times Bossa, from my long-time band Mop Mop was used in the soundtrack of To Rome with Love von Woody Allen in 2013 .
The Mop Mop album Isle of Magic (2014), on which I was musician, producer and composer, was internationally well-received in the Nu Jazz scene (for example, Iggy Pop often played our track on his BBC radio show).
Caprize by Ganes, on which I acted as pianist and arranger, was honoured with the 2014 German Record Critics' Award for an artistically excellent new release.
In 2019 I had the enormous honour of writing ten arrangements for Herbert Pixner's Symphonic Alps Tour feat. Berliner Symphoniker, and it was wonderful to experience them performed live in great classical concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmonic.
In 2020 Hubert von Goisern called me and asked whether I would like to collaborate on his next album as co-producer, studio musician and arranger. Of course, I accepted the offer and was present for all phases of the production: that was one of the highlights of my life as a musician, both artistically and personally.
Favourite music: I love all styles and genres of music really, as the famous quotation from Louis Armstrong goes: "There are only two types of music: good and bad. It doesn't matter what you play, but how you play." – Naturally, I prefer the former. But likewise, good for me is what has an honest message and is played from your gut, not your head.
Guilty pleasure: I follow the weekly videos of Viennese Youtuber Audiopilz like a disciple. He does very entertaining reviews of old and not so successful keyboard instruments from the 80s and 90s. And I can never resist a coconut macaroon.
Link: www.alextrebo.com