HOUR OF THE OWL

European Jazz, Improvisation, Electronics

„A Revelation“ – Jazzmagazine France (FR)

„A glorious musical journey“ – Mainly Piano (USA)

„Music that almost brings time to a standstill“ – ORF Ö1 (AUT)

Owls is one of Austria’s most distinctive jazz piano trios. Celebrated for their cinematic, genre-defying sound, they blend European jazz tradition with classical sensitivity, electronic textures, and pop-infused clarity — all shaped by a deep commitment to sonic aesthetics and atmospheric storytelling. Their performances are immersive, multidimensional journeys: poetic yet precise, serene yet charged with energy and rich in imagination.

Founded by pianist and composer Simon Oberleitner and drummer Konstantin Kräutler-Horváth, Owls crafts finely tuned musical landscapes with a distinct artistic signature. In 2025, renowned bassist Oliver Steger joined the ensemble, completing its latest evolution with a vibrant, organic low end.

Owls has gained international acclaim from media outlets including Jazzwise (UK), Jazzmagazine France (FR), Mainly Piano (USA), Jazzpodium (GER), Jazzenzo (NL), and Valon Kuvia (FIN). Their performances at esteemed venues such as Konzerthaus Vienna, Porgy & Bess, Volkstheater Vienna, Montforter Zwischentöne, Musiktheater Linz, and Stadttheater Lindau have further established their reputation as a boundary-crossing force in contemporary jazz.

Their latest release, Light Works (Col Legno, 2024), marks a significant artistic milestone. Released by Col Legno, one of Europe’s leading labels for genre-defying and contemporary music, the album reimagines Renaissance vocal polyphony through improvisation and ambient textures — in collaboration with the acclaimed vocal ensemble Company of Music. This third concept album follows Crumbling Light (ATS Records) and Wendolins Monocle (Intersections), both of which explore themes of transformation, scale, and perception.

Whether zooming into microscopic worlds (Wendolins Monocle) or merging ancient polyphony with contemporary improvisation (Light Works), Owls continually pushes the boundaries of the piano trio format, turning it into a vibrant, creative space. The ensemble frequently collaborates with artists across disciplines, including light-and-shadow artist Roos van Haaften (NL), author and actor Klaus Haberl, trumpeter Herbert Walser-Breuß, and vocalist Veronika Morscher (GER), each bringing new perspectives to their evolving artistic vision.

Owls’ music unfolds with patient intensity: lyrical lines and rich harmonies meet field recordings, prepared piano, looping, and subtle electronics. The result is a contemporary soundscape that transforms the traditional jazz setting into a breathing, resonant ecosystem.

Owls invites you into a world where sound becomes story — and every note opens a window into the poetic.