About
As a semi-finalist in the world’s most prestigious competition, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition 2023, Alan Bartus is among the top 10 jazz pianists of his generation.
Alan was born on February 22, 2001, in Lucenec, Slovakia, and comes from a family of musicians (his father, Stefan, is a renowned jazz artist). Alan’s talent began to manifest itself at an early age, in his childhood. At the age of four, he started attending piano lessons at the art school in Lucenec. Alan received his first diploma at a very young age at a regional piano competition. After moving with his family to Neusiedl am See, Austria, in 2012, he began his studies at the local music school.
Within a short period of time, he developed into one of the best students in Burgenland, which opened the door to masterclasses led by the best teachers and
performers. He has performed in several public concerts organized by the Oberschützen Piano Academy.In 2014, Alan applied to the Bratislava Conservatory, where he was accepted, as a special student, into the class of Mgr. Andrea Balesova, ArtD. Under her guidance, he participated in several international competitions, the most important of which are Brno 2015–3rd place (Czech Republic) Eisenstadt 2016 –2nd place (Austria) , Kamenica nad Lipou 2016–1st (Czech Republic) , and Milano 2017 –2nd place (Italy).
In 2018, he started studying jazz piano at MUK, University of Vienna, under the guidance of Professor Oliver Kent. At the age of 17, he has valuable experience performing on jazz stages with professional artists behind him. After auditioning at the Vienna Festival, Alan was selected as one of the finalists. Festival appearances with legends of the Austrian jazz scene helped Alan launch his career. Alan’s name is already on nine different albums in addition to his own:
As leader / Alan Bartus – Solology, Alan&Stefan Bartus Trio – Connectivity , Alan Bartus Born in Millennium feat. Gregory Hutchinson .
As sideman / Nina Berglová – Another Country, New Faces of Slovak Jazz, Go Blow – More Blues, Klemens Marktl Experience feat. Tim Armacost , Alan Bartus&Robert Unterkofler – Synergy, Lukas Oravec Quartet feat. Jerry Bergonzi – Hope.
In 2022, Alan won the Excellence Piano Awards , the Grand Prix Majestic Excellence Award, and the Piano Solo Professional Gold Award. In the same year, Alan won the prestigious Ö1 Austrian Jazz Prize and was accepted to one of the top jazz schools in the world, the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He is the recipient of the ARTEDEA prize in Austria, which he won in May 2023, and the 1st prize winner of the International Piano Competition Langnau in Switzerland. In 2023, Alan was selected as the only European pianist to compete in the semi-finals of the world’s most prestigious jazz competition – the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition. Alan has had the great honor of working with living American jazz legend, saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, with whom he has toured and recorded an album. Alan has also recorded and toured with respected New York saxophonist Tim Armacost.
Alan’s new albums, SOLOLOGY and BORN IN MILLENNIUM , are attracting attention and have received excellent reviews from legendary geniuses such as Peter Bernstein, Tony Lakatos, Jerry Bergonzi, Harry Sokal, etc.
2024 Alan received The Dave Brubeck Composer and Pianist Award as the only participant from all universities in the United States. He performed his original new music featuring Jeff „Tain“ Watts and Robert Hurst in Alice Tuly Hall, Lincoln Center New York City.
