Alexey Podymkin
Alexey Viktorovich Podymkin, born on January 29, 1969, in Barnaul, Russia, is a renowned Russian jazz pianist, composer, producer, and teacher. He began his musical journey at the age of seven at a children's music school in Barnaul, inspired by a recording of Count Basie's orchestra. By 1984, Podymkin entered the piano department of a music college and soon formed his first jazz quintet, debuting at a jazz festival in Novosibirsk in 1985.
In 1995, Podymkin moved to Novosibirsk, where he became an active participant in the local jazz scene, recording his first album "Silver Quintet" and forming ensembles such as the Art Trio and NewTone. His collaborations include performances with notable jazz figures like David Goloshchekin, Igor Butman, and Valery Ponomarev. Between 1999 and 2001, he served as the musical director of the jazz ensemble "Resonance" in Surgut.
Returning to Novosibirsk in 2001, Podymkin assembled a bebop quintet before relocating to Moscow in 2003, where he solidified his reputation as a vibrant and original musician. In Moscow, he formed the ensemble "Le Group" and worked with international jazz stars such as Jimmy Cobb, Vincent Herring, and Deborah Brown. Podymkin also played a significant role in organizing jazz festivals and tours, including the Jazz Express festival in Tver and extensive tours across Russia.
As a composer and educator, Podymkin has contributed significantly to the Russian jazz scene, serving as the Head of Department and Jazz Piano Teacher at the Jazz Academy. His style is noted for its elegance and emotional depth, reminiscent of the Russian academic piano tradition.