Biography

Michel REIS (piano), Marc DEMUTH (double bass) and Paul WILTGEN (drums) have built a solid reputation on the international scene. Elevating the natural elegance of the classic piano–bass–drums triangle, these three musicians put their individual strengths at the service of a highly ambitious artistic vision. The trio’s first album, released in 2013, won over a wide audience and the European press. Named Export Artist of the Year, REIS DEMUTH WILTGEN performs not only throughout Europe, but also in the United States, Canada, South America, Russia, West Africa, Japan, China and South Korea.

The trio travelled to New York in 2015 to record its second album, “Places In Between”. The record was premiered at the Printemps Musical festival in Luxembourg with American saxophonist Joshua Redman as special guest, who regularly performs pieces by the trio in his own projects. Redman and REIS DEMUTH WILTGEN reunited in March 2018 for a nine‑date tour across Europe. During this tour, REIS DEMUTH WILTGEN also presented a project with the Luxembourg Philharmonic conducted by Vince Mendoza. The arrangements of this repertoire were recorded in 2022 with Mendoza and Redman at the Philharmonie Luxembourg, and this album is set for release on CAM Jazz in 2026.

As part of Esch22 European Capital of Culture and in collaboration with filmmaker and video artist Émile V. Schlesser, the trio created Synaesthesia in 2022, a series of ten concerts exploring the phenomenon of synaesthesia in an installation where the audience is immersed in a multimedia environment, in which the trio’s compositions, images and holographic projections merge into a single audiovisual experience.

After “Once In A Blue Moon” (CAM Jazz, 2018), REIS DEMUTH WILTGEN released its fourth album “SLY” (CAM Jazz, 2021). This recording upholds the trio tradition, drawing attention without resorting to superfluous effects or gimmicks, but rather by telling stories that captivate and stir emotion. Three exceptional talents who, over the years, have carved out their own space beyond stereotypes and convention. Infectious groove, eloquent improvisations, shifting and multi‑layered rhythms: the nine tracks of “SLY” confirm the strong artistic identity of the REIS DEMUTH WILTGEN trio.

Discography