Juraj Stanik (Amersfoort, the Netherlands 1969) started playing the cello at the age of eight. During his cello studies he became interested in jazz music. Listening to his teacher to become Frans Elsen who at that time performed with a lot of American soloists like Bob Berg, Woody Shaw, Benny Bailey to name just a few.

When starting to focus entirely on practicing the piano he was accepted at the Royal Conservatoire the Hague, the Netherlands.

Within a couple of years he would perform with the Jarmo Hoogendijk/ Ben van den Dungen quintet and with the band Five Up High at international jazz clubs and jazz festivals like the North Sea Jazz festival. Jazz became his passport to the world. With Bird Award winner Toon Roos he toured in Spain. With the Ben van den Dungen Quintet he toured in Germany and France.

Juraj graduated cum laude at the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague, and the Netherlands. After his studies, he visited New York City regularly and played with Essiet Okon Essiet, Tim Armacost, Chris Potter, John Swana and others. He performed at places like Augies, Smalls, Dizzy’s and the Iridium.

Juraj has developed a personal sound and style that has become recognizable and esteemed. He has a lyrical side but is also a virtuoso and is constantly exploring new ways of improvising. He has released five recordings as a leader witch spotlight his work as a composer and bandleader. In the year 1989 Juraj won the prestigious Pall Mall Award and the band Five Up High won the Leverkusen Jazz Award.

Juraj was appointed main subject teacher at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, the Netherlands. As a teacher and performer he is an influential character in the Dutch and international jazz scene. Many of his students have become successful in the music business. At present Juraj travels a lot. Recently he went to Pakistan, Greece, Norway, Africa and Dubai. Often he is invited as a guest teacher at various jazz schools like the Ionian Institute in Greece.

A very well received solo piano album called ‘I wonder’ is recently relaesed. The collaboration with bassist Frans Jan van der Hoeven exists for a very long time. Together with Frans, Juraj recorded music and accompanied many fine jazz artists. When Frans and Juraj met drummer Roberto Pistolesi the musical click was imediately there. It was clear: a new trio with high potential was born!