His music is deeply rooted in jazz but also moves between classical and pop – all garnished with a touch of oriental esprit. His compositions are inspired by landscapes and cities, people, and personal encounters. This is reflected in highly emotional music – sometimes melancholic, sometimes full of tension, and then again witty, peppered with harmonic and rhythmic refinements that are “reminiscent of the lively, cantabile lines of Stefano Bollani” (Wiener Zeitung). Listabarth uses keys and pedals instead of brushes to create magnificent sound paintings and is excellent at getting the audience in the mood for the pieces with his announcements.

His two solo albums “Short Stories” and “Dedicated,” as well as his current trio album
„Postcards”, have not only won over national media (ORF, Ö1, Die Presse, Der Standard) but have also attracted international attention: the British Pianist Magazine described him as “one to watch“, BR-Klassik described him as a “musician who has a high recognition value both as a pianist and as a composer“, and he received a nomination for the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.

The Viennese pianist Martin Listabarth is now at home at jazz festivals and concerts all over the world – his journey will take him from Baku to New York in 2024, among other places.