Johannes Strasser/bass

(Photo:c Andreas Müller 2018)

Johannes („Hans“) Strasser was born in Grieskirchen, Upper-Austria in 1959 and resides in Vienna. After studying classical doublebass in Salzburg and Vienna for some years, he dedicated himself  to Jazz. In 2005 he was awarded the prestigious Hans Koller Prize for “Sideman of the Year.”  Hans has always been in demand in Jazz circles within all formatsfrom Duo to Big Band. In 2007 he commanded the bass chair for the Vienna Art Orchestra’s30th anniversary world–tour and recorded with the VAO. Since 2012 he was involved in various projects of mathias rüegg with singer Lia Pale performing and recording with them. As a permanent bassist of the late Fritz Pauer in his Trio from 1990 until 2012 he played in many projects of Fritz Pauer. The Trio was serving as an exquisit rhythm section for Jazzgreats like Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Sheila Jordan, Don Menza, Johnny Griffin and for Hans’ long time lifepartner, the late austrian vocalist Cornelia Giese (CDs Rainsong and Lembranca PG records). The Trio recorded the CDs Moods from Wonderland (Jive) and Quiet Passion (Universal) and about 7 other CDs. In 2009 he co-produced the double CD „The Essence of Silence“ (Jive records) with Chico Freeman and Fritz Pauer and toured with thatgroup.

Clubappearances with international Jazz greats such as Lew Tabakin, Allan Praskin, turkishpianist Burak Bedikyan and many more add to his profile. He played on two albums of Don Menza („Sonny Daze“ and „The Rose“)  toured with him.

In recent years he performed and recorded with a group named „Affäre Dreyfuss“ led by Martin Fuss and his sons Domink and Florian. Hans can be heard live and on two albumswith Singer Karin Bachner. Since 2017 he has been working steadily in the Band of the legendary Austrian Jazzsinger and „Mother of Austropop“ Marianne Mendt.

Festivalappearances:

International:

Tel Aviv, Eilat, Havanna, Le Mans, San Sebastian, Orleans, Marseilles, Budapest, Rome, Barcelona, Sibiu, Rabbat, Ruhrtrienale, Praha, Belgrade, Munich, Istanbul…

National:

Vienna, Salzburger Jazzherbst, Carinthischer Sommer, Attergauer Kultursommer, Wels, Villach

Further collabaorations  througout his career include: 

Richard Österreicher Big Band and Combo, Carole Alston.

Hans Strasser had worked as a teacher for Jazz Doublebass and Electric Bass for 25 years at the „Musikschule Wien“ until his retirement in 2025. He served as a clinician on various jazz camps.

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