Watching Andrés Coll play the marimba is a multi-sensory experience. The combination of great sounds, boundless enthusiasm and natural charisma is spellbinding. It is no wonder that he is one of the top rising stars on the Spanish and European music scene. His original compositions are a form of “avant-groove jazz” that blend the freedom of jazz with an eclectic mix of world music. Andrés was born and raised here on Ibiza, and he was attracted to music at a very early age. By the time he was seven years old he was already attending the local Music School, and was fascinated by percussion instruments. He started with classical drumming and learned several other percussions including the marimba. 

As a teenager Andrés played regularly in local bands, and even orchestras, but he always felt restrained by sheet music and had a natural inclination towards improvisation. This feeling started to become a reality when Andrés began listening to the American jazz great Roy Ayers - one of the founding fathers of the jazz-funk era. Ayers played the vibraphone with a laidback “cool-jazz” style that resonated deeply with Andrés. He realized that this instrument, combined with the freedom to innovate, was his true camino in the world of music. Following that camino soon led him to the man who would become his mentor. Joachim Kühn is a renowned jazz pianist who lives on Ibiza. He recognized the potential in 20 year old Andrés, and took him under his wing. Joachim shared with him the musical knowledge and experience that he had gained from his many years at the top of the profession. This collaboration lifted Andrés’ performance to a new level. “I had never played free jazz in my life before, or any real jazz. From those first sessions playing with Joachim it blew up. There was so much creativity - there was magic.”

Since that time Andrés’ career has been steadily rising. He started by playing the vibraphone, but the marimba has now become his favourite instrument. What is the difference between these two similar instruments? The most obvious difference is that a marimba's keys are made of wood, while the vibraphone's keys are made of metal. This gives each one a distinctive sound and tonality. Andrés has moved mostly to the marimba as it fits the style that he has developed. The vibraphone is primarily a classic jazz instrument, whereas the sound of the marimba is sweeter, and this works better for jazz that is influenced by world music. To make it even more interesting (and challenging), Andrés plays the marimba with four mallets. When we visualize someone playing this type instrument it is a musician with a mallet in each hand pounding on the keys. Andrés has developed the difficult talent of playing with two mallets in each hand. It is mesmerizing to watch, and it speaks volumes about the work and practice that he puts into his craft.

Under the continuing guidance of Joachim Kühn, Andrés joined with stellar musicians Mateusz Smoczysnki and Ramón López to form the “Andrés Coll Cosmic Trio” in 2022. They also perform as “Andrés Coll Odyssey” when world music legend Majid Bekkas joins the trio. Over the past three years they have performed in many of Europe’s coolest clubs and festivals. Some of their gigs in 2025 included the Münster Jazz Festival in Germany, Sons d'Hiver in Paris and Jazziam Barcelona 2025. This past summer in Ibiza featured performances by the Andrés Coll & Rob Luft Quartet in San Antonio, and Andrés Coll Cosmic Trio in Dalt Vila. He also recorded a new album called “Ride to Heaven” which will be released soon.

Andrés Coll Odyssey’s first album “Sunbird” came out in 2024, and it received rave reviews. “Embark on an inspiring musical journey through freedom, world culture, and avant-garde jazz with the Andrés Coll Odyssey. This group creates musical ecstasy through intuitive improvisation, while still maintaining the fundamental groove that moves listeners into a state of liberation.” Listening to this album you get a strong feeling of the energy that Andrés puts into his music, but seeing him in person brings it to another level. When Andrés is performing he becomes one with his music - flowing energetically with each note in a reverie of creation. It is a joy to behold.