Gregor Schor - Am Grund (2026) Hi Res

With "Am Grund," saxophonist and composer Gregor Schor presents a debut album that consciously navigates between structure and openness. Born in Leverkusen in 1993, the musician found his way to improvisation via the clarinet and later switched to the saxophone. His studies took him from the Jazzhaus School in Cologne to the Mainz University of Music, where he studied jazz and popular music.

Schor works like someone who prefers sketching to writing down. His pieces seem well-thought-out, yet remain open to change. Lines are established without being rigid. This approach permeates his compositional practice, which he further developed during his master's studies in big band music with a focus on writing at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. There, he collaborated with artists such as Maria Schneider, Guillermo Klein, and Darcy James Argue, and gained experience in studio settings with the HR Big Band.

The compositions on "Am Grund" are precisely constructed yet permeable. They provide a framework without restricting the individual style of the musicians. Schor's own work as a saxophonist reflects this tension. He is active in various formations, from small ensembles to larger groups.

The band on the album also doesn't follow a purely reproductive logic. They act flexibly, react to the material, and explore the possibilities between controlled precision and raw energy. This approach corresponds to Schor's general philosophy, which is evident not only on stage. In 2018, he co-founded the big band Projekt Orion with Vroni Frisch and Maximilian Shaikh-Yousef, which has collaborated with guests such as Will Vinson, Julian Argüelles, and Frederik Köster. Since 2019, he has also been involved with Tonkult e.V. in Mainz, an association that supports the independent jazz scene with concert series and jam sessions.

"Am Grund" remains consistent in its approach. The album seeks depth without succumbing to gloom. It explores the relationship between composition and improvisation, the interplay between the individual and the collective. At the same time, a portrait emerges of a musician who not only works as an instrumentalist, but also as a composer, arranger and organizer.