Florian Hoefner
Associate Professor
Jazz Studies
B.Mus. (Jazz) (Universität der Künste Berlin)
M.Mus. (Manhattan School of Music)
fhoefner@mun.ca
Room MU-2015
(709) 864-2640
http://www.florian-hoefner.com/
Born and raised in Germany, trained in New York City, and now based in Canada, Juno Award–winning pianist and composer Florian Hoefner has forged a unique voice in modern jazz, shaped by a broad range of influences. Praised by The New York Times as a “composer-bandleader of insightful resolve” and described by Downbeat as a “harmonically daring pianist […] reaching toward new sonic territory,” he continues to make his mark as an inventive creator and performer of contemporary jazz.
His most recent trio release as a leader, Desert Bloom (Alma Records/Universal, 2022), features his Canadian trio with Andrew Downing (bass) and Nick Fraser (drums). The album presents seven original compositions alongside two inventive arrangements of indie rock and bluegrass songs, highlighting Hoefner’s signature lyricism and dramaturgical flair. Desert Bloom won the 2023 Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Group and received two East Coast Music Award (ECMA) nominations. It follows First Spring (2019), a Juno nominee and two-time ECMA winner.
With his quartet, the Florian Hoefner Group, he has released three acclaimed albums on Origin Records. The latest, Luminosity—featuring saxophonist Seamus Blake—was praised as “a starkly picturesque album […] that makes profound statements from quiet moments” (Downbeat), “the real deal” (Jazz Journal, UK), and “a total experience” (New York Jazz Record). Luminosity was nominated for Jazz Recording of the Year at the 2017 East Coast Music Awards. Earlier, the Group received the Stingray Rising Star Award following their performance at the 2015 Montréal Jazz Festival.
Hoefner’s discography also includes his 2017 solo album Coldwater Stories and, more recently, Seascape (2025), the debut album of the Atlantic Jazz Collective, which he co-leads with saxophonist Mike Murley and bassist Jim Vivian. Featuring Norma Winstone on vocals and Joe La Barbera on drums, the Juno nominated album has been widely reviewed and received international airplay.
Hoefner has also appeared as a sideman on numerous recordings, including a Fresh Sound Records collaboration with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. He has shared the stage with Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Rodriguez, Christine Jensen, Laila Biali, John Hollenbeck, Adam Cruz, and Milena Casado.
As a composer, his work includes the Iris Trio’s celebrated chamber album Project Earth: The Blue Chapter, and his forthcoming album Into the Aquasphere with music for jazz quartet and chamber orchestra, to be released on October 23rd 2026 on Alma Records. His arrangements have been recorded by artists such as Till Brönner, Jasmin Tabatabai, and Peter Fessler, while his big band works have been performed by ensembles including the New York Jazz Orchestra, Lucerne Jazz Orchestra, and the German Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Since 2014, Hoefner has been based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at Memorial University.
"Florian's expert musicianship, coupled with his pedagogical knowledge and skills as an educator helped elevate my musicianship to a level that enables me to perform and write music over a decade after my time in the program. Florian seamlessly weaves jazz history, education, pedagogy, improvisation, and techniques into every lesson while amplifying the course content material in every way. Florian's patience, selflessness and initiative as an educator has provided me with the confidence and opportunity to expand my career, both in St. John's and on a national level. I am forever grateful for my time at Memorial, and I am deeply indebted to Florian's skill, but also kindness as an educator."
- Josh Chancey, BMus ‘16 and BMusEd ‘20.
"The MUN Jazz Orchestra is an exciting experience and performance opportunity for students across different disciplines who are drawn to the playful and improvisational nature of jazz music. l was impressed by Florian’s leadership and effective direction of the advanced selection of repertoire, by the range of skill and musicianship within the ensemble, and by the culture of community, support, and risk taking that is cultivated at the school. The opportunity to perform for the community many times over the school year makes this experience even more meaningful!"
- Zaynab Wilson, BMusEd ’26, member of MUN Jazz Orchestra ’24-25.