Thomas K.J. Mejer studied Saxophone with Urs Leimgruber (Jazz School Lucerne), Marcus Weiss (Konservatorium Luzerne) and Mick Green (Dartington College of Art, UK), and composition Vinko Globokar, Per Nørgard and Michael Finnissy (Sussex University). His compositions have been performed by Allegri Quartett, BBC Singers, Ny Dansk Saxofon Kvartett, Cambridge New Music Players, Vision Saxophon-Quartet, and Basel Sinfonietta.

As a saxophonist, Mejer has concentrated on the Contrabass-Saxophone and on Bass Ensembles like KONTRA-Trio, Chicago Basses, TwoTubax, Nashi Dela etc. As an Improviser he has played with Martin Schütz, Fredy Studer, Michael Zerang, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Keefe Jackson and many more.

Mejer has received several prizes, namely the Werkbeitrag 1993 and 1998 from the town and city of Lucerne, as well as the 2004 studio space in Chicago from the Sister Cities Trust.

His compositions are published at Schweizerischen Musikedition. CDs are available on earup, Leo Records, Mode Records and Tzadik.

Studies and Further Education

1979-1983	Saxophone with Urs Leimgruber, Theory with Peter Sigrist a.o. (Jazzschule Luzern)
1985-1989	Saxophone with Marcus Weiss, Theory with Josef Estermann a.o. (Konservatorium Luzern, incl. diploma SMPV 5)
1989-1990	Composition with Frank Denyer and Saxophone with Mick Green (Dartington College of Art, UK)
1989-1991	International Summerschool, Dartington UK 1989 composition with Anthony Powers (Cardiff); 1990 "advanced composition" with Per Nørgard (Denmark) and 1991 with Vinko Globokar (Paris)
1991-1992	postgrad. study in composition with Philip Grange (Exeter University, UK, incl. Masters of Music)
1992+1994	Darmstädter Kurse für Neue Musik
1994-1996	postgrad. study in composition with Michael Finnissy (Sussex University, UK, incl. Ph.D in Music)
1998	Mastercourse at IMF Lucerne with Heinz Holliger

Scholarships and Awards

1990	Winner of a bursary/scholarship for "advanced composition" with Per Nørgard, Denmark, at the International Summer School, Dartington, UK
1991	Bursary of "Schweizerischen Tonkünstlerverein" for a study in composition with Philip Grange at Exeter University, UK
1992	Prize for composition from "Marianne and Curt Dieneman-Trust"
1993	"Werkbeitrag" from "Town and County of Lucerne" for the composition of the Saxophonquartet "Sulpizianische Bilderwelt"
1995	Scholarship from "Jubiläumsstiftung SVB" for a study in composition with Michael Finnissy at Sussex University, UK
1998	"Werkbeitrag " from "Town and County of Lucerne" in the domaine of "Theatrical Music" for the stage opera "Macula Matris"
2003	Artist residency in Chicago (Sponsered by Sister Cities trust), Feb.-May

Teaching and Performing

Mejer teaches is a lecturer at "Musikhochschule Luzern" for the following subjects: Contemporary Music, Instrumentation, Counterpoint and Music History.

As a saxophonist, Mejer has focused himself on playing the contrabass-saxophone and all other saxophones in Eb. He is a member of the KONTRA-Trio (a Trio for very low wind instruments), TwoTubax (Duo mit Peter A. Schmid), Nashi Dela (Contemporary Russian Songs) and the Chicago based wind ensemble 774th Street Quartet. With the KONTRA-Trio, he was touring in Scandinavia, Russia and Indonesia. Besides appearing as soloist, he is involved in several projects which include other forms of art like paintings, poetry, film, dance.

Publication/Discography

The compositiones of Thomas K.J. Mejer are published at:
SME, Schweizerische Musikedition, Postfach, CH-6002 Lucerne, Switzerland

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