Thomas Rueckert
Improvising Artist
The latest project
of the Thomas Rückert Trio
An extraordinary concert recording was created in the Cologne loft: Thomas Rückert on piano, Joscha Oetz on bass, and Fabian Arends on drums – a trio that understands each other perfectly. Without prior rehearsals, supported only by trust and a shared vision, they create freely improvised interpretations of well-known jazz standards.
Pieces like "Stella By Starlight" or "Body and Soul" don't serve as a reinterpretation of the classics, but rather open up spaces for spontaneous, intuitive sonic journeys. They're about association, imagination, and the emotional core of music—not about conventional forms.
"We play weird stuff," says Rückert, referring to an attitude that respects tradition but doesn't copy it. The energy of the evening was palpable – the audience responded with a standing ovation.
For All We Know is a pure moment—raw, vibrant, and direct. Now on Apple Music , TIDAL , and Soundcloud .
Podcast
"UNVERHOFFT
MUSIKALISCH."
(Unexpectedly musical.)
PODCAST DESCRIPTION
This podcast is the result of over 30 years of teaching piano and my exploration of myself as a musician. I have found that collective patterns of behavior and beliefs block the free flow of music in myself, my students and colleagues, and feed anxiety, stress and stage fright.
My training in Somatic Experience, a trauma therapeutic approach by Peter Levine, led me to develop many tools to release these blocks.
I often use the term "nervous system" in this podcast, referring to our well-being and un-well-being in terms of fear, panic, trust, confidence and relaxation. The podcast is autobiographical in nature, as I can best explain the subject matter from my own experience and story. At the end of each episode follows a small exercise that you can easily follow and participate in if you wish.
A Rose E `er Blooming is a musical embodiment of prayer.
It serves the spirit of medieval sacred german melodies and lyrics with the freedom of improvisation and a well balanced variety of piano and composing techniques.
Thomas Rückert combines the original melodies with musical structures from different genres. On this CD you find aspects of jazz, gospel, folk, classical western contrapunct and - yes- indian and african traditional music. They blend sweetly with the historic german muse spirit in service of the sacred.
Dive in.
Courses, seminars & workshops
FELT UNDERSTANDING -
Online courses
Is music theory to you like learning Chinese or math? Is all this too high for you? Do you think that it (music theory) is only accessible to the so-called "gifted"? Or is it all too theoretical for you?
You don't have to be at fault! In my experience, music theory tends to be taught like teaching someone how to cook strictly from a recipe, but he/she forbids tasting and tasting. All music theory is an attempt to describe the collective feeling of the musical forces, which means that the feeling was already there before the theory, i.e. in you too. Together we can bring this buried feeling to light and the various aspects of music theory felt/sensed explore. We start with the very rudimentary forces and look at how they developed through classical to jazz, pop and blues.
The last course "unexpectedly musical" illuminates all the inhibiting and blocking forces that prevent you from making music, freed from fear, I will show you techniques on how to overcome old outdated beliefs (such as "I'm just not musical enough")can find.
Important:
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All courses take place conveniently via zoom in your own environment. They cost €35 each individually, all four together €120 .
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If you have any questions, you can send me a message on Facebook.
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The last registration date is the day before the start of the respective course.
I. course
Felt understood
Harmony theory
how do chords work, what is the difference between a classic triad and a jazz chord, which chords work together?
meeting: Thursday, April 4th, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
access: via zoom (link)
Cost: €35
II. course
Felt understood
Melody
- how do I design a melody that suits me? What forces are at play? How does a melody appear on the background of a chord?
meeting: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m
access: via zoom (link)
Cost: €35
III. course
Felt understood
Rhythm
- what is rhythmic power, how does it arise? What laws are there?
meeting: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m.
access: via zoom (link)
Cost: €35
IV. Workshop
"unexpected
musical"
- what is rhythmic power, how does it arise? What laws are there?
meeting: Thursday, April 25, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m., open end
access: via zoom (link)
Cost: €35
Unexpectedly musical, working group -
Music beyond shame
Unexpectedly musical working group (for everyone who has already taken the course in person or online) - on a donation basis
Working group
Unexpectedly musical
meeting: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m.
access: via zoom (link)
Cost: On a donation basis
Intuitive playing -
Konitz/Tristano course
When I met Lee Konitz in 2004, he showed me a completely new way of improvising, which I see in retrospect as really intuitive
Improvise.
Instead of navigating patterns and structures through chord progressions and scales, Lee referred to the melody and taught me to associate new melodies through the melody and lyrics of the standard, taking my musicianship to a new level. If you are interested in getting more in touch with your musical intuition, I cordially invite you to this workshop.
Course Part II
Konitz/Tristano
For all jazz musicians who want to play more intuitively than just managing scales.
meeting: Thursday, May 9th, '24
Time: 7 p.m. to around 9 p.m.
access: via zoom (link)
Cost: €35
Course Part III
Konitz/Tristano
For all jazz musicians who want to play more intuitively than just managing scales. The course Is in English.
meeting: Thursday, May 16th, '24
Time: 7 p.m. to around 9 p.m.
access: via zoom (link)
Cost: €35
Music beyond shame -
The role of the nervous system
in music
Are you a musician, hobby/amateur musician or do you love music?
Then you certainly know the feeling of being ashamed of making mistakes while making music, or even with fear and panic? How do you feel playing your instrument or even singing in front of an audience? Is this a relaxing idea or does the idea alone create discomfort? What are your memories of your instrumental or singing lessons as a child, as a teenager or now as an adult? Did you experience the fear of not being good enough there? Did you also hear as a child: "Shut up, your voice annoys me!"? Can you move freely in the music without stress and fear or do you constantly feel on guard not to make mistakes? Or do you dream of learning an instrument and fear that you are too old and untalented for it?
"Then stop holding on to early beliefs and behavior patterns that sabotage our heart's desire to express ourselves in music."
Thomas Rückert has been a music teacher and freelance musician for more than 25 years with a degree in jazz pianism from the University of Music and Dance.In addition, he completed two training courses - in Orgodynamics and Somatic Experience by Peter Levine, - teaching methods for trauma management. They inspired him to develop numerous techniques to release shame and fear in us while making music and to strengthen trust, aliveness and joy.
He uses this approach in his teaching activities as a lecturer for jazz piano at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, the Bergische University in Wuppertal and the Institute for Music in Osnabrück. He also offers seminars and courses on this subject there, which are already very popular.
Thomas Rückert imparts these techniques in a relaxed, nonjudgmental and trusting atmosphere in a one-day seminar.
For more information you can listen to my podcast here:
What seminar participants say:
Alexandra
"The workshop with Thomas was a very important experience for me. It helped me to find my way back to myself and my personal expression when making music, so that I let myself be guided less by pressure to perform and feelings of stress. Since the workshop I have more confidence in singing again.
Thank you Thomas!"
Petra
"My most valuable insight from the workshop is that despite my excitement, yes, I am "functioning." This realization has something reassuring. Thus I am full of hope to feel my excitement as anticipation at the next performance. Putting this into practice will hopefully follow soon :-).
Thus, the previously negative touch has changed into something positive, with which so much has already been gained."
Jan
"We were directly helped by your seminar. Mareike incorporated ideas from it into her lessons on Monday and I try to remember the red blinds (Jan's positive resource) every day. Above all, I now approach my over routine differently and try to be much more mindful in rehearsals with fellow musicians. We will participate again anytime."
Patricia
"That I enjoyed the workshop day very much. Hopefully I was able to remember a lot to take it further for me and would be very happy about a second appointment. Above all, I think it's important that you not only learn to listen to yourself and pay better attention but also, in the best case, notice when someone else might need support now and you have suggestions and ideas to support them."
Annette
"Who is afraid of harmony theory? There is no guarantee that anyone who has completed a seminar with Thomas Rückert. Thomas turns music theory upside down; he transforms it into lived practice that incorporates the experiences of the seminar participants in an original way. That's fun and... awakens the joy of discovery. With a lot of competence, experience and empathy, he also provides a new, refreshing access to one's own musical resources. The seminar helped me to dissolve old, hindering beliefs and to trust my own body intelligence - all of this in an atmosphere that is determined by security and goodwill. Absolutely recommended –
Continuation desired!”
Nadine
"Thank you very much for the last Thursday evenings. I really enjoyed the sessions. It was particularly relaxing to experience and explore the topics, which are mostly conveyed purely on the mental level, on the body level. I can very well imagine that this inner "Exploring while making music leads to lasting greater body awareness, naturalness and relaxation. I would like to find out more about that."
Publications
*If you would like to purchase a CD, please send me a message
about the contact field or send me an E-mail (button "Buy now").
Music
Concerts, gigs, events, speeches & live streams
concert
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Lena Bloch Quartett
8:00 PM
Admission: 20,– / Concession: 15,– €
Tickets: Button below
Jazz Salon
Severinskloster 3a
50678 Cologne
"New York saxophonist and composer Lena Bloch joins Thomas Rückert, Henning Gailing, and Matthieu Clement to present a tribute to her friend and mentor, Lee Konitz. Both Thomas and Henning have collaborated extensively with Lee as a trio, featuring compositions by Lee Konitz, Lennie Tristano, and jazz standards.
Lena Bloch – tenor saxophone
Thomas Rückert – piano
Henning Gailing – bass
Matthieu Clement – drums
concert
Friday, May 23, 2025
Inga Lühning with band
8:00 PM, admission 7:00 PM
Admission: 25,– / Concession: 10,–
Jazz Club English Station
Poggenburgstraße 10 a
25813 Husum
With Daughters and Sons, Inga Lühning releases her third album of original material – a diverse blend of jazz, pop, and singer-songwriter elements, refined by bluesy and folk influences. Supported by André Nendza (bass), Thomas Rückert (piano), and Marcus Möller (drums), a warm, dynamic sound full of depth and authenticity emerges. The songs were recorded live in Bonn's Hansahaus Studio under the direction of Grammy Award winner Klaus Genuit – mostly in just a few takes.
Lühning once again impresses with her clear, emotional voice and a very unique sound between intimacy and expressiveness.
concert
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Inga Lühning “Daughters & Sons”
Start: Approx. 3:30 PM
Admission: 25,– / Concession: 10,- / EarlyB 20,–
Jazz in the Park - Haus Horst
Horster Allee
40721 Hilden
With Daughters and Sons, Inga Lühning presents her third album of her own songs – a personal work between jazz, pop and singer-songwriter sounds, characterized by themes such as family, motherhood and self-discovery.
At her side: Thomas Rückert (piano, Rhodes), André Nendza (bass), Marcus Möller (drums), and guests such as Kai Brückner, Ludwig Nuss, Matthias Bergmann, Alfonso Garrido, and Oliver Leicht. Recorded live in Bonn's Hansahaus Studio by Grammy Award winner Klaus Genuit – warm, dynamic, and deeply moving.
Colours of Jazz
On 31 May 2024, the jazz concert series "Colours of Jazz" will start in Neunkirchen-Seelscheid under the patronage of Mayor Nicole Berka in the foyer of the new self-study centre.
Renowned regional jazz musicians perform there, presenting jazz in all its facets. The mountain community thus strengthens its profile as a jazz hotspot and has been attracting an enthusiastic audience from the region for years.
Friday, 31 May 2024
Country Colours
Start 19:00 / 7 p.m.
Admission: 19,00 € , Reduced: 15,00 €
Location: Self-study centre
Walzenrather Str. 13
53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid
The opening act will be a dialogue between the two Seelscheid neighbours Frank Haunschild (guitar) and Thomas Rückert (piano). Under the title "Country Colours", the duo will present their own compositions and well-known jazz pieces.
Sunday, 07 July 2024
Mit anderen Worten
Start 19:00 / 7 p.m.
Admission: 19,00 € , Reduced: 15,00 €
Location: Self-study centre
Walzenrather Str. 13
53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid
Das zweite Konzert der Reihe trägt den programmatischen Titel „Mit anderen Worten“. Andreas Lambert (Vocal) singt Jazz-Standards mit
eigenen deutschen Texten, begleitet wird er von Thomas Rückert am Klavier
Saturday, 28 September 2024
Jammen mit Profis
Start 19:00 / 7 p.m.
Admission: 19,00 € , Reduced: 15,00 €
Location: Self-study centre
Walzenrather Str. 13
53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid
On 28 September, the workshop "Jamming with professionals" will take place, in which amateurs will play together with professional musicians and thus benefit from their knowledge. The result of this exciting exchange will be presented in a concert in the evening.
Thursday, 24 October 2024
Colours of
JAZZ
Start 20:00 / 8 p.m.
Admission: 19,00 € , Reduced: 15,00 €
Location: Self-study centre
Walzenrather Str. 13
53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid
The Bergische Jazzworkshop starts on 24 October with the
popular concert by the lecturers in the Antoniuskolleg auditorium. The line-up promises an extraordinary evening of jazz evening.
"Play Not,
what you know"
- Thomas Rückert audibly embodied the guiding principle of Lee Konitz. Improvisation unfolds in an adventure beyond concepts and clichés. For Thomas Rückert it is by no means about virtuosity, but about exploring new, energetic dimensions of sound - the exploration of space and width, energy and calm.
A constantly new, sometimes dense, sometimes light network of colors and lines unfolds in the listener's ears, reminiscent of Morton Feldman, Debussy, Skriabin, Arvo Pärt or Bill Evans.
That's what it says in the trade press:
Rueckert, Morgan, Arends
With this project, Thomas Rückert is realizing a long-cherished wish to play his new program with Thomas Morgan and Fabian Arends
Thomas Rückert and Thomas Morgan met in NYC in 1999 where they worked together and grew to like each other. Thomas Morgan is featured on many CDs from the ECM label, including with Paul Motian and Jakob Bro. Thomas Rückert and Fabian Arends have been valued trio partners for some time. Fabian is one of the most sought-after drummers on the German jazz scene.
The press writes about Thomas Rückert:
projects
Tiedemann & Rueckert
Gunther Tiedemann cello Thomas Rückert piano
Gunther Tiedemann and Thomas Rückert play - deliberately bold - their own music between free, direct improvisations and compositions. They are rooted in the jazz tradition and take a deep look into the traditional and contemporary music of their and other worlds. They are guided by the four big "I's": intuition, improvisation, intimacy, impression. And the three big "K's": sound, boldness, contact. And the two big "E's": expression, energy. And at the right time from that one big "G": Groove...
In 2017 they were guests at the "23rd New Directions Cello Festival" in Ithaca/New York (USA).
