biography

Born in Viena, Austria, in 1939. It can be said that the American occupation of his home-town put him in immediate contact with Jazz. Music was one of the few things that cheered up the heart of his ill-stricken, famined country, and that was what “country” meant in the post-war.
Jazz music brought on by the troops was something that captivated him, coming from popular surroundings, and with the difficulty of studying music in Austria. Not many schools were available, much less shools of Jazz. When he was 6 or 7, he was impressed by Glenn Miller, the music of blacks: swing; thus he dedicated his studies to Jazz. However, his second land Venezuela, country where he resides, gave him his scholarship and training.

His Beginnings
At the age of 17 he began Harmony lessons with Tito Fuentes, private lessons with musicians the likes of Eduardo Cabrera, Rubén Jacpo and other pros still in the business. There was no one actually dedicated to giving jazz lessons, as he does currently, there were no jazz schools. Little by little his education became more of a “self-taught” endeavour, taking correspondence courses from Boston (Berklee College of Music). His professional activities took place mainly in Venezuela, with some appearances in other countries.

The Absence
Between 1974 and 1981, he establishes home with his family in Merida’s countryside at an elevation of 2.500 mts. He has no electricity, only candlelight, making music with his concert-grand piano, practicing Tai-Chi, watering flowers and planting vegetables. During this period he was able to internalize Bach’s music on his piano, his recitals being solo piano with Bach’s works and even Hindu Ragas. This was a very beautiful time for him, but his absence could not last forever: Caracas wanted him. Many people wished to study with him, some even traveling to Mérida in order to learn.

His Return
In the year 1982, accompanied by his band, he plays at the Berlin Jazz Festival. From 1983 on he dedicates his time to making music with electronic instruments, using MIDI technology. These performances make the light of his career for the following years and establishes his name as a pioneer in the use of these technologies in Venezuela. By the late 80’s he cuts his CD “VOLAO”, work which resumes the concept of his MIDI Jazz Performance. He works as a producer of recordings for María Rivas and Desorden Público (1990), as well as other musical works. His CD “PROFUNDO” hits the streets in 1.999 , a return to an acoustic sound, in his own words “a return to my roots”, acquiring a reputation as one of the most influencing and respected musicians in the Venezuelan scene; his Trio being Andrés Briceño (drums) and Carlos Rodríguez (double-bass), a truly “classic” trio for the following years. In 2005, after extense concert activities and his usual teaching routine, he publishes “FREE PLAY & LOVE SONGS, Vol. 1”. This is a simple and brilliant record which picks up the “live” essence of a marvelous selection of songs and themes. It’s part of “EMPATÍA”, produced by Pablo Gil (saxophone) and Carlos “Nené” Quintero (percussion), considered one of the most important jazz recordings in Venezuela’s modern times. His public appearances during 2005-2006 gathered the best of praise from the critics.

By the end of 2006, Gerry takes his music to Tokyo, Japan, in a series of concerts of great importance not only for his professional life, but also in a spiritual sense, leaving his adopted-country’s name in the highest of places, both in Music as well as in his favorite sport discipline: Karate-Do, taking part in the World Competition. He’s the image of the well-known trademark CASIO for their series of “Privia” Digital Pianos.
In December 2006, a new record is cut: “GERRY WEIL, NAVIJAZZ”, a CD in a “piano-solo” format which gathers some of his new compositions together with Christmas classics, becoming available during the “GERRY WEIL, NAVIJAZZ” live concerts that same year, which have become a true tradition for the Christmas holidays.

The year 2007 begins in the production of his next recording with CACAO MÚSICA, side-by-side with renowned artists the likes of Viena-born violinist Rudy Berger, living in Brasil; Pablo Gil (saxophone), Nené Quintero (percussion), Roberto Koch (double-bass) and Adolfo Herrera (drums). Great expectation is placed on this recording, in the vision of consolidating Gerry’s international career.

His concert bookings for this year is are quite busy, as well as his need for music investigation, composition and exploration from the “piano-solo” format, passing through electronic music and performances with DJs to playing with symphony orchestras.