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Marcos Jimenez biography

I was born in 1960 in Madrid in a family where we sang to each feast. From my mother's side there were several professional musicians. My older brother studied violin, and is one reason that made us leave Franco's Spain in the 60s.

When we “landed” in Geneva, Switzerland, my parents bought a piano, and that's how I naturally became initiated to music. At first I was amused to copy what I heard on the records of my older brothers and on radio, then I began to improvise.

My first stage experience was made with cover groups of the Beatles, the Moody Blues, and other groups in vogue at that time. Then came adolescence, which for me was quite upset and I separated for a time of music. Then I launched a career in IT at one of the giants of the time.

But in 1983 I decided to go back to my piano, and I then met with pianist Michel Bastet who introduced me to the Jazz for 2 years. He then strongly encouraged me to undertake classical studies. I spent two more years still to haunt the jazz clubs and listening to the masters of the genre.

Then in 1987 I touched a scholarship to enter the Conservatory in the course of Sébastien Risler. I was fascinated by classical and contemporary music for eight years. At that time I also took composition lessons with composer Eric Gaudibert.

At the same time I continued my exploration of jazz as an autodidact, transcribing solos and arrangements, playing with local musicians such as Erik Truffaz, Maurice Magnoni, Michel Mathieu, and many others. I founded a quartet that played my compositions and I hired bassist Marc Johnson for a tour in Switzerland and France. Then Bänz Oester took up the torch while Norbert Pfammatter continued to ensure the drums and Maurice Magnoni the saxes. At that time I played in many groups of various styles parallel to Jazz, we shot across Switzerland.

I also accompanied many singers, including Christine Python with whom we won the Sacem prize at the vocal competition of “Festival de Crest” in France, it was also an opportunity to play with drummer Daniel Humair.

In 1995 I finished my classical studies by obtaining a certificate with the congratulations of the Jury and the Special Prize Kneiffel.

I then went back to work the Jazz full time, putting into practice all the methods learned during my studies. I took lessons with Franco d'Andrea, Richie Beirach, especially Kenny Werner.

In 1998 I focused my work on the trio, and so I created my first trio with Christophe Calpini and Patrice Moret. The trio has undergone several drafts, bassist Fabien Sevilla came there for a while, then it was Mathias Demoulin. In 2006 I founded a new trio with Dominic Egli and Daniel Schläppi.

In 2001 I was hired by the famous french singer Zizi Jeanmaire and choreographer Roland Petit as pianist and arranger for what should be the final round of Mrs Zizi Jeanmaire. I also composed a song for her, which was recorded on the album "La Liberté est une Fleur".

Currently, I am mostly busy with my new trio with Daniel Schläppi on bass and Lukas Bitterlin on drums. I continue to work as a "sideman" in various bands such as Laurent Bortolotti Tapdance project, Gabriella Bergallo Brasil Brazil, and studio sessions. I give solo concerts and I am a regular teacher at the Ejma of Lausanne and AMR in Geneva.