German pianist Joerg Reiter was born on November 22, 1958 in Waiblingen. He studied classical piano at the Stuttgart University of Music from 1978 to 1982 while also being active in the jazz scene since 1976. Reiter's breakthrough came when he became a pianist for the SWR Big Band between 1982 and 1990, and later joined Peter Herbolzheimer's Rhythm Combination & Brass in 1985. Throughout his career, Reiter collaborated with numerous notable artists, including Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, and Billy Cobham. He also composed "Gossamer Wings" for Chaka Khan, which was later recorded by Lionel Hampton. In addition to his performing career, Reiter taught at the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts from 1993 and at the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy from 2002. His notable albums include Talisman (1992) and April Lights (2010). Reiter passed away on July 2, 2015 in Mannheim.
