Pascal Schumacher studied classical percussion, jazz vibraphone and musicology at music conservatories in Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Brussels and The Hague. He holds a Master’s Degree in musicology from the Marc Bloch University in Strasbourg, and another in music with a focus on jazz vibraphone from the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague. He has won many awards, including the Belgian Django d’Or (2005), Music:LX (2012), ECHO Jazz (2012), JTI Trier Jazz (2014), was selected for the Rising Stars program organized by the European Concert Hall Organization (2009 / 10) and appeared as soloist in ECHO Klassik 2017 awarded project Überbach. He played with many of exciting musicians such Francesco Tristano, Bachar Mar-Khalifé, Jef Neve, Kenny Barron & Magic Malik, wrote music for theater and film and leaded a jazz quartet. Today he mixes emotional classical music with minimal electronic sounds, although Schumacher himself considers each classification obsolete. To him, music is a single, limitless playground.
FACTS
1. The Eames Lounge Chair + Ottoman is NOT overrated.
2. You can be a good person without being religious.
3. Even the worst Tatort has a value.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
I am largely inspired by moments, situations, settings, and states of my mind that evoke all kinds of feelings inside me. And then there is always a first sound that determines in which direction a composition has to evolve.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I started playing in the local brass band when I was a kid, my father was the tuba player in that ensemble and I worked hard to become their drummer.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Serge Gainsbourg : Histoire de Mélody Nelson
Henry Purcell: Fantasias for the Viols by HESPERION XX and Jordi Savall
Ryuichi Sakamoto : Async
Jonathan Fitoussi : Plein Sud
Brian Eno : Music for Airports
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
The groove of that city!
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
The fields and the forests around my house. I love running and cycling in the fairytalish Luxembourgish countryside.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I’d most probably be an architect.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
‘In a Silent Way’ by Miles Davis. I had it on CD but suddenly felt a serious desire to listen to this great album on vinyl. I especially like Side Two with the title track tributing Jimmy Hendrix. I love the ambient character of that music, largely influenced by the presence of Joe Zawinul. It’s super touching and inspiring to me.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I’d love to collaborate and compose a ballet music for Akram Khan!
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
A couple of years ago. Sokolov playing Beethoven’s Elf neue Bagatellen at Luxembourg Philharmonic Hall.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
More and more, but it is not essential. Really it depends on the kind of music I am working on.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have a sister – I think she does not really like what I do, but she likes me and I feel she is a little proud of me.
