Born in Vorarlberg, Austria, David began playing the piano at the age of six. He won the 7VJC Contest 2018 edition in the Pros&Amateurs’ category with the band David Helbock’s Random Control. After several years of piano lessons at the Feldkirch Music School and at the Jazz Seminar Dornbirn, he transferred to the Feldkirch Conservatory in 1998 to study classical piano under the guidance of Prof. Ferenc Bognar, where he graduated with honors in concert piano in 2005. In addition, from 2000 to 2008, David Helbock received instruction from New York jazz pianist Peter Madsen, who became his teacher, mentor, and friend. They continue to play together in Madsen’s ensemble “Collective of Improvising Artists (CIA)” and founded the joint project “Austrian Syndicate” in 2023. David Helbock has released nearly 25 albums under his own name as a leader, including five on the Berlin-based label Traumton (from 2010 to 2015). Since 2016, he has been an exclusive artist with the renowned Munich-based label “ACT-Music,” with six albums released to date. His debut release with ACT-Music, “Into the Mystic” in 2016, was nominated for the German “Echo Jazz” award. In 2018, he released the second album, “Random/Control,” and in 2019, a solo piano album titled “Playing John Williams.”
How did you learn to play? Where did you study?
I had many great teachers and was very, very lucky. In a way my father was my first teacher – he is a musician (guitar, saxophone) as well and also has a very big and good record collection – so there was always great music playing.
But with the piano I actually started when I was around six years old at the music school in Feldkirch, western Austria. Later I stayed in Feldkirch to study classical piano at the conservatory there with a great teacher from Hungary – Ferenc Bognar. In terms of jazz I was very lucky that the great jazz piano player Peter Madsen (played with Stan Getz, Joe Lovano, Benny Golson, Fred Wesley and many more) moved from the US to Austria and he became my most important teacher and mentor.
Who are the musicians that influenced you the most?
So many. But for most of them I already made a tribute album – for example I did a solo piano album where I only cover Prince songs. And also one with the music of John Williams. We did a trio album once where we honored the music of Thelonious Monk and Hermeto Pascoal, both also very important for me.
What are your thoughts and opinions on today’s jazz scene?
Well it ́s different in every country a little bit, but in general I would say that there are more (young) great players out there than ever. The quality of the music is really good and getting better and better. Of course with the internet young kids can get all the important information immediately – it ́s amazing. But on the other hand the audience is not really getting bigger. Also the fundings (in most countries) for festivals and clubs are cut and I think there are less and less opportunities to play live and make a living with it. So not so easy – more great musicians but less and less money. Let see who it evolves – we have to keep live music alive!
Can you tell us more about your experience with the 7 Virtual Jazz Club?
I read about it in 2018 on the internet and decided to apply with an arrangement of Spain (Chick Corea) I did with my trio Random/Control with Saxophone, Tuba & Piano. It was very spontaneous and I did not think a lot about it, but then in the end we won and I was very happy about it. We used and invested the prize money straight into the next project of the band and I was also able to play a solo concert in Ferrara, Italy – which you organized for me and I met you there. Great memories.
What are your future projects?
I just released a new album on ACT Music. Austrian Syndicate. It ́s a quinteR with my former teacher Peter Madsen on piano and I only play synthesizers and keyboards. We also have Herbert Pirker on drums, Raphael Preuschl on Bass and Claudio Spieler on percussion. I think the best rhythm section in Austria. For the album we even have some great international guests like Lakecia Benjamin, Alex Acuña, Dhafer Youssef, Maria João and Fred Wesley.
The Album was just released at the end of August 2023 and now in the fall we will play a big tour. But not Italy yet. I hope to come to Italy with this project soon!!
Website: https://www.davidhelbock.com/
