Markus GottschlicH 
Pianist • Composer • Steinway Artist

A painter of emotions via music

— All About Jazz

Austrian-American pianist and composer Markus Gottschlich is a Steinway Artist whose music seamlessly fuses jazz, classical, and world music into a voice that is both distinctive and emotionally resonant. Born in Vienna and raised at Beethoven’s former residence, Gottschlich’s artistry is shaped by a lifetime of international experience across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Praised by Albuquerque Magazine as “a high-energy, lyrical, and risk-taking pianist,” Gottschlich brings expressive depth and dynamic command to every performance. His appearances at major festivals—from the Vienna Jazz Festival, Austria to  Jarasum Jazz Festival, South Korea—have affirmed his reputation as a compelling force on the global jazz scene.

Gottschlich has released three acclaimed albums, including Found Sounds (2020), featuring Grammy-winning artists and collaborators such as trumpeter Bobby Shew, showcasing his sophisticated compositional style and improvisational sensibility. His music has also been featured in international films and documentaries, further reflecting his versatility and reach as an artist.

In addition to his performance career, Gottschlich has served as Artistic Director for festivals and concert series from Miami to Albuquerque, curating bold, cross-cultural programming and fostering emerging talent. A dedicated educator and clinician, he regularly leads workshops, masterclasses, and artist residencies around the world.

A recipient of the 2025 Creative Pinellas Artist Grant, Markus Gottschlich continues to expand his artistic horizons, earning recognition as one of the most distinctive and thoughtful voices in contemporary jazz.

On the keys: Markus Gottschlich

Markus Gottschlich
Nonprofit Executive & Arts Advocate

Markus Gottschlich is an internationally recognized nonprofit arts leader and cultural strategist committed to expanding access to the arts through innovation, equity, and strategic growth. As Executive Director of the Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) in St. Petersburg, Florida, he led the organization to national acclaim, earning a #3 ranking among U.S. arts districts by USA Today in 2025 and recognition as Tampa Bay’s Best Arts Advocacy Organization in 2024.

Under his leadership, WADA eliminated its structural deficit, achieved 176% revenue growth in 2024, and significantly increased grant funding, contributions, and public engagement—generating over 1.1 billion media impressions. He has advanced initiatives in workforce housing for artists, public programming, and district-wide collaborations that position the arts as a driver of economic and community development.

Previously, Gottschlich served as Executive Director of the New Mexico Jazz Workshop, where he revitalized the concert, festival, and education programs, and as Artistic Director of the Miami Beach Jazz Festival, where his outreach initiatives provided hundreds of students with transformative educational experiences and international performance opportunities.

He is also the founder of the Music Business program at the Vienna Music Institute (Austria) and a sought-after speaker and thought leader on cultural policy, arts advocacy, and nonprofit sustainability

Recordings from Markus Gottschlich