Günther Straub

Guenther Straub was born 1957 in Vienna. At the age of 7 he started a classical piano training for 11 years and took part in piano competitions.

His first contact with traditional jazz piano was in 1975 when he listened to Earl Hines´ version of  "Boogie on St. Louis Blues".
From now on Guenther was captured by this music, he bought old records and started practising by ear.
At first he was very much influenced by classical Blues & Boogie Woogie and pianists like Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson.

Very soon Guenther developed his longlasting relationship with Ragtime, New Orleans Jazz and particularly Harlem Stride, the virtuous piano style of the 1920s.

From the 1980's on Straub toured in Austria, Denmark, Germany and France and took part in festivals. He appeared on stage with numerous international musicians e.g. Jay McShann, Axel Zwingenberger, Bernd Lhotzky, Louis Mazetier, J.P. Bertrand, Mr. „B“ Mark Braun, Bob Seeley, Anke Angel, Rob Agerbeek, Mojo Blues Band, Vince Weber, Bibo Willisohn, Johnny Schuetten, Tony Sheridan, Carl Sunny Leyland, Henry Heggen, Jo Bohnsack, Joja Wendt, David Gazarov, Fabrice Eulry, Philippe Lejeune, Christoph Steinbach, Hannes Otahal, Andy Lee Lang, Big Jay McNeely, Joachim Palden, Albert Koch, Alex Meik, Peter Strutzenberger, Martin Schmitt, Philipp Kopmajer, Peter Müller …

His favorites are Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Ralph Sutton, Dick Wellstood or contemporary pianists like Louis Mazetier and Bernd Lhotzky.

Guenther Straub is an extraordinary skilled pianist with a broad spectrum ranging from authentic blues & boogie to virtuous stride piano with the typical powerful left "oom-pah" - hand.
You can hear him as a soloist, in Piano - Duos or in trio formation (b/dr).