BIOGRAPHY

Mathias Heise was born in Rødovre, just outside Copenhagen, Denmark in 1993. He started playing harmonica at the age of seven, and a few years later he also took up piano and keyboards.

He attended The Danish Rhythmic Music Conservatory for a year, being the first student with the harmonica as his main instrument.

Awards

In spite of his age, he has already won a number of significant awards.

At the age of 20, he won the 2013 Chromatic Harmonica World Championship.

In 2015, he was awarded ‘New Jazz Star of The Year’ in Denmark. The same year his band Mathias Heise Quadrillion was nominated ‘Best New Jazz Act’ at Danish Music Awards.

In 2016, Mathias Heise received The Danish Crown Prince Couple’s prestigious Stardust Award – an award that is given to honor and highlight young Danish artists about to make an international break-through.

In March 2017, he was awarded the Ben Webster Prize, as the youngest recipient ever.

In April 2019 he received the Hartmann Diploma-Prize (of 20,000 Euros). The prize is awarded to younger persons who are “expected to contribute to a continuously positive development of the Danish society”.

His album The Beast with DR Big Band was nominated ‘Best Album’ at Danish Music Awards 2019.

Albums by Mathias Heise

So far, Mathias Heise has released three albums in his own name.

With his fusion group Mathias Heise Quadrillion he released his debut album Sudden Ascent in 2015.

This was followed by Decadence in 2017. Decadence was mixed and mastered by Erik Zobler, who has also worked with jazz fusion artists such as George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Al Jarreau.

For both albums Mathias Heise wrote most of the material as well as played harmonica and keyboards.

As of now, they are working on their third album for Giant Sheep Music.

His most recent album The Beast (2018) showcases his collaboration with The Danish Radio Big Band. For this project he wrote and arranged all eight tracks as well as played harmonica and keyboards.

In addition to his own projects, he is a sought after sideman and guest artist by other bands and musicians.