Each month, we spotlight up-and-coming jazz artists from Austria as part of the “5 Million Pesos” series — a monthly concert and radio broadcast dedicated to young jazz in and from Austria, presented by Radiokulturhaus Vienna and the Ö1 Jazz Department. For April, the spotlight shines on pianist Lukas Meißl and his trio, the OSTstyrian Rhythm Section.
Concert: April 10, 2026 | 8:00 PM | RadioCafe
Broadcast: TBA
OSTstyrian Rhythm Section
Lukas Meißl (keys)
Maximilian Kreuzer (bass)
Andreas Reisenhofer (drums)
Hailing from Eastern Styria, pianist Lukas Meißl was already active in bands such as the Max Kreuzer Octet and the funk band Candlelight Ficus while studying at the Jazz Department of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz under Olaf Polziehn. With his own trio, the OSTstyrian Rhythm Section, he released the remarkable concept album “Great Austrian Songbook” in 2024.
In this work, Meißl and his partners, Maximilian Kreuzer (bass) and Andreas Reisenhofer (drums), approach iconic compositions—considered the musical epitome of “Austrianness”—from a jazz perspective: The “Danube Waltz” is just as essential as Wolfgang Ambros’ anthem “Schifoan,” Falco’s chart-topping hit “Rock Me Amadeus,” and the Austropop pioneer track “Wie a Glock’n,” made famous by Marianne Mendt.
A delicate journey into potentially cliché-ridden territory, the dangers of which Lukas Meißl navigates with wit and ingenuity—and with album guests Peter Kunsek (clarinet), Ines Reiger (vocals), and Christian Bakanic (accordion), one or two of whom might also be joining us at the Vienna RadioCafe.
In collaboration with the Ö1 Jazz editorial team.