Mathias Rüegg, born on December 8, 1952, in Zürich, Switzerland, is a musician, pianist, arranger, bandleader, and composer known for his work in both classical and jazz music. After initially working as a teacher at special schools, Rüegg decided to pursue a career in music at the age of 21. He studied classical composition and jazz piano at the Hochschule für Musik in Graz. In 1976, he moved to Vienna, where he performed as a pianist in nightclubs. In 1977, with support from Wolfgang Puschnig, Rüegg founded the Vienna Art Orchestra, initially known as Wiener Art Orchester. He led this ensemble for over 30 years, composing all its original pieces and arranging works by other artists. Notable collaborations include those with George Tabori and Ernst Jandl in jazz and lyric productions.
