This month’s spotlight track is Shaker Song by Michael Flügel, the renowned jazz pianist from Fürth, Germany, whose swing feel and rhythmic chemistry have made him one of Europe’s most compelling players.
Flügel began his journey at the piano at just six years old, later refining his talent through studies at the Universities of Music in Hanover and Würzburg. His artistry soon found him touring internationally, performing with legends such as Enrico Rava, Tim Hagans, Ingrid Jensen, Tony Lakatos, Lutz Häfner, and many more. Along the way, he contributed to acclaimed recordings and brought his energy to major theater productions, from West Side Story in Esslingen to The Threepenny Opera in Nuremberg.
In 2012, he joined the Hessischer Rundfunk Big Band for a celebrated performance in Beijing at the invitation of the National Center of Performing Arts, cementing his reputation as a pianist of international reach. Today, his programs like The Music of Wayne Shorter, The Baroque Project, and The Life and Music of Boris Vian continue to showcase his adventurous spirit and versatility.
Shaker Song captures everything that makes Michael Flügel essential listening: a masterful swing touch, rich melodic phrasing, and that unmistakable rhythmic dialogue between piano and drums. It’s a tune that shakes you awake and keeps you moving and has a twist of Mancini.
🎧 Stream it now on Spotify: Shaker Song
👉 Learn more about the artist: www.michaelfluegel.de