| Biography| German please scroll down! German-born jazz pianist, composer, label executive and music educator and consultant. His music has been performed in Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, and most recently in the United States. He began studying piano at age six and later earned his Diplom in Performing Arts from the Essen Folkwang School in Germany, a B.A. in Piano and Composition from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands and a Certification in Popular Music from the University of Hamburg, Germany. He studied with Peter Walter,John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler and Kenny Werner. In developing his signature sound over the years, Markus drew his influences from a wide range of musical styles including J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, Keith Jarret, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Pat Matheny, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Sting.