Bänz Öster is one of the most sought-after bass-players on the European jazz scene. The list of his "employers" and "partners in crime" is almost endless and gives a good impression of his broad horizon, he plays i.e. with such diverse pianists like Malcolm Braff ("High-energy-Afro-jazz"), Michel Wintsch (complex compositions, adventouros free-playing and open interpretations of french popsongs) and Hans Feigenwinter (Standards, Bop and originals). Besides being a very busy sidemen – he played with international luminaries like Michael Brecker, Dewey Redman, Joe Lovano, Pierre Favre, Bill Stewart, Vienna Art Orchestra etc. Öster leads his own bands from time to time and is involved in many cooperative projects. Öster is highly praised for his warm, soulful gut-string sound and the unpretentious cleverness of his singing lines. Bänz Öster is one of the great romantic rebels of contemporary jazz: He has an unflagging admiration for the tradition, but also likes to explore the unknown.

He is a member of the WHO trio with Michel Wintsch and Gerry Hemingway.

At the same time, Bänz Öster teaches jazz bass at the Musikacademie of Basle and at the Haute Ecole de Musique of Lausanne.

Website of Bänz Öster