About Thilo

At just 19 years old, Thilo Kluth has already established himself as a rising presence in the Portland jazz scene. He formed his jazz trio during his junior year of high school, quickly gaining performance experience at school events, festivals, and local restaurants. Throughout his senior year, Thilo fully immersed himself in music, enrolling in every available music course and dedicating his time to developing his craft. His commitment was recognized with the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award at Hockinson High School.

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Thilo has earned numerous jazz awards from festivals and competitions across Washington and Oregon. He received a tuition waiver to Clackamas Community College, where he was recognized as a top soloist, and was named Top Festival Soloist at the 2025 Columbia Basin College Jazz Unlimited Festival. He later auditioned for and was awarded two jazz scholarships at Clark College: the Richard Inouye Jazz Artist Scholarship and the Farrell Family Jazz Scholarship.

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Beyond performance, Thilo is passionate about sharing the joy, spontaneity, and energy of live jazz. He is deeply committed to music education and the importance of jazz education, hosting after-school jazz workshops that encourage students to begin improvising. Thilo currently coaches the rhythm section at Hockinson High School and teaches private jazz piano lessons.