Pianist, arranger & composer
Gregor (1985) earned his Master’s degree in Jazz Piano from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, in 2011.
Throughout his career, Gregor has collaborated with some of the most esteemed and internationally recognized jazz instrumentalists and singers, including Don Menza, Bob Brookmeyer, Boško Petrović, Howard Curtis, Derrick Gardner, Francis Mbappe, and Peter Herbolzheimer. His musical journey has encompassed performances in big bands across Austria, Czechia, and Slovenia, as well as in diverse combos, ranging from duos and trios to quartets and a dynamic nine-piece band. In addition to his role as a solo pianist, Gregor is a versatile musician, proficient in piano, keyboard, and organ. Beyond his instrumental prowess, he is a dedicated composer and arranger.
Over the years, Gregor has contributed to numerous studio recordings, both as a sideman and a leader. His performances have graced jazz clubs and festivals throughout Europe, including Slovenia, Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia, Czechia, and Hungary.
In July 2014 Gregor’s piano trio reached the finals of the European Jazz Competition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, organized by the European Broadcasting Union. Subsequently, in September 2014, he toured Czechia with the European Jazz Orchestra. In the same year, he co-founded the jazz sextet “Sharp 6.” In 2017, he marked another milestone with the release of his debut album, “Gregor Ftičar: Solo,” featuring his original compositions and arrangements. He co-leads the “NorthEast” trio based in Geneva, Switzerland, with an eagerly anticipated album released in December 2023. Moreover, he is set to unveil an album by a quintet under his name, presenting an album of original music in 2024. His most recent project, the Black Smoke Quartet (2024), features a jazz piano trio and a vibraphone, presenting a suite of his original compositions entitled the “Black Smoke Suite”.