Lukas DeRungs is an award winning pianist-composer hailing from Mannheim, Germany, whose inspiration ranges from contemporary jazz to renaissance choral music. His debut album “KOSMOS Suite“ was nominated for the German Jazz Prize 2023 and described by legendary vocalist Norma Winstone as ‘music full of imagination, both tender and explosive’.

Following early successes winning first prize at both the International Jazz Piano Competition Langnau (CH) and the Yamaha Jazz Piano Competition Nuremberg (DE), Lukas has since been an active force on the European jazz scene with Trio de Lucs, the Lukas DeRungs Quintet, and more recently touring his large-scale work “KOSMOS suite” (for choir and jazz ensemble) across Europe & the UK.

Recorded in January 2024 after an intensive period of touring and composing, his upcoming second album ‘WAKE’ sees him return to a quintet setting alongside four of his favourite improvising musicians: rising-star vocalist Immy Churchill (UK),  virtuoso guitarist Karim Saber (UK/IR), NYC-based drummer Jonas Esser (DE) and heavy-grooving bassist Jan Dittmann(DE). Since their first gigs in 2022 the band has developed a deep listening relationship and sense of groove, enabling them to collectively shape the Lukas’ compositions, which range from evocative songs to rhythmically intricate interlocking structures. 

“precise interplay“ Lena Hausheer, Zuger Zeitung

“virtuosity and elegiac depth of focus“ Judith Engel, Uckermarkkurier

“extraordinary sound world“ Beat Blaser, Aargauer Zeitung

Immy Churchill (UK) // Voice

Karim Saber (UK) // Guitar

Jonas Esser (DE) // Drums

Jan Dittmann (DE) // Bass

Lukas DeRungs (DE) // Piano & Composition