Step into the dynamic world of Mind Tree, a trio of exceptionally talented Slovenian musicians forging a unique sound at the crossroads of jazz, classical, and alternative genres. Rooted in collaboration, Mind Tree is comprised of pianist Matic Štemberger, bassist Peter Smrdel and drummer Žiga Smrdel.
In April 2023, they unveiled their debut album, 'Catharsis,' a captivating journey through original compositions that not only received local acclaim at the Jazzon competition but also secured international recognition, winning the '7 Virtual Jazz Club' award for the best original composition.
Matic Štemberger, a young pianist and composer, shapes his musical identity at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. Beyond his academic pursuits, he has garnered numerous accolades, including two gold plaques at the Temsig national competition, the Lucijan Marija Škerjanc Award for exceptional academic success and artistic promotion, and being recognized among the young hopes of insurance company Triglav. Matic's collaborations span across renowned acts such as Big Band RTV Slovenia, Symphony Orchestra RTV Slovenia, Jure Pukl, Immanuel Wilkins, Hei’An, Ratko Divjak, Igor Matkovič, Jani Moder, and Denis Beganovič.
Peter (1994) and Žiga Smrdel (1996) have significantly shaped the Slovenian and foreign music scenes. Their impactful contributions have been acknowledged with the HEMI Award (The Hub for the Exchange of Music Innovation) by the CSEE (European initiative aiming to support Artists and Music Professionals from Central and South Eastern Europe). Moreover, their excellence has been recognized with gold plaques at the Temsig national competition and the prestigious 'Zlata piščal' (Golden Flute), awarded by the cultural and artistic association 'Zlata piščal' for their achievements in the field of Slovenian popular music. Their rhythmical finesse and versatility have found expression in collaborations with notable artists such as Jure Pukl, Marko Churnchetz, Denis Beganovič, Igor Matkovič, Tomi Purič, Robert Jukič, Tonč Feinig, and various bands, including Okustični, Vazz, Rok Zalokar Trio, Maline, Nazzareno Zacconi Trio, and more.
As Mind Tree continues to evolve, stay tuned for upcoming projects and releases, promising a future rich with musical exploration and innovation.