Jacques Demierre, born on January 4, 1954, in Geneva, Switzerland, is a Swiss musician and composer known for his work in improvisational music. He studied at the University of Geneva, Conservatoire Populaire, and the Geneva Conservatory, focusing on piano, jazz piano, electroacoustic music, and music theory. Early in his career, Demierre shifted from classical piano to avant-garde rock and jazz, eventually dedicating himself to improvisation. Demierre's discography included notable albums such as Fabrik-Songs: Piano Improvisations sur Weill et Eisler (1989), Black/White Memories (2006), and Breaking Stone (2013). He has collaborated with various artists, including Dorothea Schürch, Radu Malfatti, Hans Koch, Martial Solal, Han Bennink, Joëlle Léandre, Carlos Zingaro, and Ikue Mori. Demierre also composed works that blended jazz, free improvisation, and contemporary music, notably his 1985 composition Concierto barocco. In 2018, he was awarded the Swiss Music Prize by the Federal Office of Culture for his contributions to music.
