Berlin bassist, composer, studio musician and sought-after sideman Thomas Stieger releases his solo debut album "Choices". Stieger"s first album as a bandleader surprises with guest appearances by well-known musicians such as trumpeter Randy Brecker, bassists Will Lee and Tim Lefebvre, drummer Wolfgang Haffner, as well as rising stars singer Alma Naidu and keyboardist Simon Oslender.
With his ambitious solo debut "Choices", Thomas Stieger, who has already played on over 100 recordings in various styles and released two albums as a member of the prog-fusion-cinematic-jazz band Marriage Material, shows his creative, very personal side. The album, which features genre greats such as Randy Brecker and Wolfgang Haffner, but also up-and-coming stars such as Alma Naidu, offers stylistic diversity: "Choices" is an album that combines melodic groove tracks such as "Noemi"s Song" and "Hissing the Flag" with the African-influenced "Chez Aly". The ballad "Resistance", the ode "Glimmer of Hope", the march "The Night You Changed Your Mind" and the title track are provided with string quartet arrangements. Stieger also jams to electro-dance grooves in "Night Ride", creates an atmospheric mood in "Lavender Skies" and closes with the beautiful "Ocean", sung by Alma Naidu. Inspired by Jaco Pastorius and other bass heroes such as Anthony Jackson, Marcus Miller and John Patitucci, with "Choices" Stieger has created a deeply moving work and his very own world, without the judgement of other contributors. Thomas started playing guitar at the age of ten and switched to bass at 15. He played in numerous bands and started his own jazz fusion projects. In addition to his work with the band Marriage Material, which he co-founded in 2018, Stieger played in various groups led by drummer Wolfgang Haffner and worked with many well-known artists and orchestras, including Gregory Porter, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Quasthoff and Sarah Connor.
