GROUNDING
With their debut EP, released in January, GROUNDING introduces itself as the new project of saxophonist Fabian Deschler – a quartet that shapes the dialogue between the concrete and the abstract in an innovative, yet accessible way.
The band moves within a dynamic tension between contemporary and avant-garde jazz. Distinctive melodies evolve into experimental sounds, ranging from raw energy to quiet introspection. Yet, the musicians remain grounded, an approach that not only pays homage to their name, but also defines their musical identity.
GROUNDING unites four emerging musicians from Germany and Sweden: Fabian Deschler (alto saxophone), Daniel Sauer (tenor saxophone), Olle Lannér Risenfors (double bass), and Malte Wiest (drums). Despite, or perhaps because of their international roots, they have developed a distinctive collective sound that draws the listener into unexpected musical worlds.
At the heart of the band lies the interplay between the two saxophones, which complement each other contrapunctual, harmonize, or contrast. The absence of a harmony instrument opens up space for deep interaction, not only among the musicians but also between structure and freedom. This dualistic approach is equally reflected in their compositions: A piece like Rotation showcases how clear forms and spontaneous creativity can enrich one another through its rock-like drive. Meditation, on the other hand, takes the listener on a journey from minimalist ostinatos to free, abstract soundscapes. With The Tunnel, the band reaches the peak of its avant-garde side, an intense exploration of timbres, dynamics, and expressive energy. Each track on the EP is its own microcosm, revealing the many facets of GROUNDING.
But GROUNDING is far more than just a studio project. Their concerts thrive on an unrelenting spirit of experimentation and a musical alertness that makes every performance a unique experience. With a keen sensitivity for detail and impressive spontaneity, they captivate audiences, whether seasoned jazz connoisseurs or curious music lovers alike.
FABIAN DESCHLER alto saxophone
Fabian Deschler (*1996) is a saxophonist and clarinetist based in Essen, Germany. Born and raised in Wangen im Allgäu, he initially taught himself jazz before pursuing formal studies at the Hochschule für Musik Mainz and the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he studied jazz and popular music with a focus on saxophone. His teachers included renowned musicians such as Claudius Valk, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Per „Texas“ Johansson, Klas Nevrin, Peter Danemo, Dennis Gäbel, and Jesse Milliner.
Currently, Fabian Deschler is primarily dedicated to his solo project Sound Sketches as well as the bands GROUNDING, FOAM, and Spheres. These projects share a common artistic approach: they explore the space between abstraction and concreteness—whether through improvisation, composition, the deliberate juxtaposition of these poles, or their synthesis. This dialectical duality shapes Deschler’s musical language and serves as a central thread in his artistic work. In addition to his own projects, he is a sought-after sideman and has collaborated with renowned artists such as Sam Wilkes, Andy Hunter, Heinz-Dieter Sauerborn, and Dietmar Fuhr.
As an engaged curator and organizer, Fabian Deschler contributes significantly to the music scene. He curates frim, a platform for free improvisation within the Gesellschaft für Neue Musik Ruhr e.V., and was the initiator and curator of the interdisciplinary event series ENSEMBLE! in Mainz, which fostered dialogue between music and visual arts. Additionally, he organized the RAUSCHEN music festival at Haus Mainusch in June 2023 and was actively involved as a board member of the jazz association Tonkult e.V. Mainz. His organizational work spans from conceptualizing and leading a project big band to supporting the free improvisation scene.
Fabian Deschler was a member of the State Youth Jazz Orchestras of Baden-Württemberg and Hesse. He is a recipient of the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now Frankfurt am Main e.V. scholarship and a multiple-time recipient of the Deutschlandstipendium. His artistic work is characterized by a multifaceted synthesis of tradition and innovation, driven by playful openness, creative energy, and a distinctive sonic identity.
DANIEL SAUER tenor saxophone
Daniel Sauer (*2001) is a young saxophonist and composer from Bamberg.
His musical training began early—starting with the recorder at the age of six and transitioning to the saxophone at seven. Until 2023, he was a member of the Bavarian State Youth Jazz Orchestra, where he gained valuable experience in big band and ensemble playing during his school years.
He eventually moved to Stuttgart, where he studied jazz saxophone at the HMDK Stuttgart from 2020 to 2023 under Prof. Christian Weidner and Fabian Arends. In 2022, he founded the band EYRA. Before continuing his studies at the Jazz Institute Berlin under Prof. Peter Weniger in 2024, he spent a semester in London in 2023 at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Daniel Sauer has already performed with renowned musicians such as Achim Kaufmann, Christopher Dell, Keisuke Matsuno, and Jonas Westergaard.
Daniel Sauer stand bereits unter Anderem mit Achim Kaufmann, Christopher Dell, Keisuke Matsuno und Jonas Westergaard auf der Bühne.
OLLE LANNÉR RISENFORS double bass
Olle Lannér Risenfors is a double bass player from Skåne, Sweden, currently based in Stockholm since 2020. After studying at folkhögskola in Skurup, he completed his bachelor’s degree in jazz music at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm in 2023. Valuing versatility in various jazz styles, Olle has studied with a wide selection of teachers, such as Martin Sjöstedt, Torbjörn (Kansan) Zetterberg and Jonas Kullhammar, to name a few.
He works as a freelance musician in multiple projects and has performed with artists like Per “Texas” Johansson, Jonas Kullhammar, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Fredrik Nordström, Peter Asplund, Kathrine Windfeld and more. His active bands include FLEN, which won second place at the Getxo Jazz Competition in 2024 and performed at Copenhagen Jazz Festival and during a Baltic tour. FLEN released their debut album „Välkommen Till“ in 2023.
Olle also plays in groups like Cosmic Express Quintet (Loumi Records), OHOJ (Loumi Records) and Primula, all of which released debut albums in 2023 and has performed extensively in Sweden and abroad; as well as receiving fine reviews both in Sweden and internationally. Additionally, he has a duo project with Jim Base set to release in April 2025 on Havtorn Records, and Olle is involved in projects led by Marius Zeeberg and Liam Elion (Varva Records).
Olle has received several scholarships and awards, including a National Scholarship from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and a one-year working grant from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee in 2024. He is set to release his first album as a bandleader, a quartet album for Varva Records, in 2025.
MALTE WIEST drums
Malte Wiest (*2000 in Biberach an der Riß) is a jazz drummer based in Berlin.
His musical journey began at the age of seven when he received his first drum lessons. Over the years, he discovered his passion for jazz, which he initially deepened as a pre-college student at the HMDK Stuttgart and later at the Hochschule für Musik Mainz. He is currently continuing his studies at the Jazz Institute Berlin.
Malte Wiest is a versatile musician actively involved in a wide range of bands and projects. Even at a young age, he has shared the stage with renowned jazz musicians such as Pablo Held, Doug Weiss, Nils Landgren, and Tineke Postma, establishing himself as a talented drummer in the jazz scene.
He was a member of the Hessian State Youth Jazz Orchestra, a scholarship recipient of Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now Frankfurt am Main e.V. and the Zukunftsinitiative Rheinland-Pfalz, and a participant in the Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy 2023.