Tobias Meinhart is a saxophonist based out of Brooklyn, NY. In addition to working steadily as a freelance player throughout New York City, Tobias leads his own quintet and is a member of the composers’ collective Brooklyn Aliens.

​

Born in Regensburg, Bavaria, Tobias began his musical life as a drummer and flutist before switching to saxophone at age thirteen. In his late teens he became completely devoted to music, winning first prize in the Jugend Jazzt competition and touring through Germany with the quartet “Fourscore”.  He went on to study at the Basel Music Academy in Switzerland, where the renowned European saxophonist Domenic Landolf served as his mentor. He then went on to the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Bern University for the Arts, where his teachers included Adrian Mears, Jorge Rossy, and Wolfgang Muthspiel.

​

During this time, Tobias formed his own band and began making a name for himself throughout Europe, winning first prize at the 2009 Startbahn Jazz Competition as well as the “Audience Award for Best Group” at the 2009 Getxo Jazz Festival in Bilbao, Spain. In that same year, he graduated with honors and received a diploma in Jazz Performance and Music Education.

​

Shortly after Graduation, Tobias moved to New York City and quickly became immersed in the city’s highly competitive music scene. In 2012 he received his Master’s Degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music, where he studied with Antonio Hart, John Ellis and Seamus Blake. He maintains a presence in Europe, touring internationally and teaching as an assistant professor for the University of Regensburg during summers, while still being in demand in New York City.  He has a monthly engagement at The Bar Next Door, and has been a featured performer at the Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland and the Jazz Gallery, among many other renowned venues in the city.

​

Tobias currently has four albums out under his own name. His quintet’s new release, “Silent Dreamer”, will be released in 2017 on the Munich label Enja Records and features the likes of Ingrid Jensen, Philip Donkin, Yago Vasquez and Jesse Simpson.  In 2016 he was nominated for the German ECHO-Awards as ‘Newcomer of the Year’.

​

Besides being busy as a performer Tobias enjoys teaching as it is a great way to share his passion for music and he has been teaching in many capacities working with early beginners all the way to university students.