A virtuoso on the chromatic harmonica.
A select few musicians with harmonica as their primary instrument hold a place in the jazz hall of fame, but at the age of only 20, Mathias Heise was crowned 2013 Chromatic Harmonica World Champion.
Mathias Heise was born in 1993 in Rødovre, just outside Copenhagen, Denmark. He started playing the harmonica at the age of seven, and a few years later he also took up piano and keyboards.
In 2012, he founded his fusion band Mathias Heise Quadrillion with equally talented peers: Mads Christiansen (guitar), David Vang (bass), Aksel Stadel Borum (drums) + Mathias himself on chromatic harmonica and keyboards.
In 2015, Mathias Heise was awarded ‘New Jazz Star of The Year’ in Denmark, and Quadrillion's debut album "Sudden Ascent" was nominated for the Danish Music Awards in the category ‘Best New Jazz Act’. In 2016, Mathias received the Danish Crown Prince Couple’s 'Stardust Award' — an annual award that is given to honor and highlight young Danish talents. In 2017, he was awarded with the 'Ben Webster Prize', as the youngest ever.
Mathias Heise has released four albums in his own name (all on Giant Sheep Music): "Sudden Ascent" (2015 - with Mathias Heise Quadrillion), "Decadence" (2017 - with Mathias Heise Quadrillion), "The Beast" (2018 - with The Danish Radio Big Band), and "QUADRILLION" (2022 - with Mathias Heise Quadrillion).
In addition to his own projects, Mathias is a sought after sideman and guest artist by other bands and musicians.
