Jan Portisch

Jan Portisch is a bassist, composer, and music therapist in training dedicated to creating meaningful musical experiences that connect people across cultures and contexts.

*1997 Darmstadt, Germany

Jan Portisch (b. 1997, Darmstadt, Germany) is a bassist, composer, and emerging music therapist whose work bridges performance, education, and clinical practice. As a musician, Jan is known for being a conduit for emotion and awareness through the bass, bringing an open-minded and “music-first” approach to every project. His versatility across Jazz, Classical Music, R&B, Free Improvisation, and non-Western traditions has made him a sought-after and adaptable collaborator.

After studying in Weimar and Köln, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Jazz Performance, Jan expanded his musical and academic horizons at Berklee College of Music in Boston. At Berklee, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology, integrating his deep musicianship with a passion for using music as a therapeutic medium. He is an active member of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute and the Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, where he explores ways music can serve as a tool for social connection, equity, and healing.

Jan has studied and performed with renowned artists including Dieter Manderscheid, Robert Landfermann, Norma Winstone, Joe Sanders, Greg Hutchinson, John Patitucci, Linda Oh, Kris Davis, Samara Joy, and Xero Abbas.

As a developing music therapist, Jan has completed practicums at MedRhythms Inc. and Music Matterz, working with clients with Parkinson’s disease, stroke rehabilitation needs, and developmental disabilities in both in-person and telehealth settings. He currently serves as a NICU Music Therapy Research Fellow at Boston Women’s Hospital and is Vice President of the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association for Students (NER-AMTAS). His clinical philosophy is rooted in Humanistic and music-centered approaches, using music as a dynamic, relational medium to foster resilience, agency, and emotional expression.

Whether performing on stage, collaborating with fellow artists, or supporting clients in clinical care, Jan’s goal remains the same: to connect, create, and share meaningful musical experiences. Music, to him, is nature, emotion, and life—an enduring force capable of transcending cultural and social barriers.

When not performing, teaching, or touring he enjoys writing short biographies about himself in third person while gently sipping on a hot cup of coffee.

Bio//

Resume//

Music Therapy Experience

Practicum Experience

MedRhythms Inc. (Boston)
Music Matterz (Los Angeles)

Service to the Profession

Vice President, New England Region – American Music Therapy Association for Students (NER-AMTAS)
NICU Music Therapy Research Fellow, Boston Women’s Hospital

MT Conferences/Workshops

European Music Therapy Conference
Introduction to Nordoff Robbins Workshop
Berklee Music and Health Institute Exchange Series
New England Regional Music Therapy Conference
Berklee Music Therapy Spring Symposium
Arts Activation

Musical Highlights

IMCCW (International Music Creators and Collaborators Workshop)
Panama Jazz Festival
Member of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute
Member of the Berklee Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice
Rheingau Musikfestival
European Tour with Xero Abbas
Bachelor’s Graduation Concert – HfMT Köln, GPA 4.0
First Chair Double Bass – Sinfonietta Orchestra Köln
Member – State Youth Jazz Orchestra of Hessen

Awards

Education

Berklee College of Music Full Tuition Scholarship
Andreas Tobias Kind Foundation Award
Live Music Now Scholarship
Deutschlandstipendium

Hfm Weimar (Electric Bass Performance)
Hfmt Köln (Acoustic Bass Performance)
Berklee College of Music (Major in Music Therapy / Minor in Psychology)

Video//

Testimonials//

"Meet Jan, the heartbeat of any ensemble, whose bass lines weave intricate melodies that captivate audiences and elevate every performance. With roots in Landesjugendjazzorchester Hessen, Jan has honed a signature style that blends technical prowess with soulful expression, making him a standout in the jazz scene. His passion for music is palpable, and his dedication to his craft is truly inspiring. Whether holding down the rhythm or taking electrifying solos, Jan brings unparalleled energy and artistry to every stage he graces. Dive into his world of rhythm and melody, and prepare to be transported on a musical journey unlike any other." - Louisa Hildebrand

"Jan is amazing bassist also with a lot of sense of humor. Get him now!!!" - Yae-Seul Kim

"A skilled bassist, a knowledgeable and clever musician, a quick learner, a hard-worker, and a genuinely kind and uplifting soul—Jan is a pleasure to work with! I have learned so much in working with Jan, about music and musicality, about what it means to love your craft, and, most importantly, about the joy in creating art." - Sam Sampliner

“Wonderful sensibilities, impeccable technique, hilarious student” - Takuma Matsui

"Jan Portisch is a versatile bass player who's capabilities range from traditional forms of black american music, to free improvisation, to popular music and more through composed forms on both a very high technical level and with a great deal of sensitivity. With Portisch I had very satisfactory musical moments in which I felt a special effortlessness and drive. He is an absolute anchor." - Paul Küppers

"I asked Jan to accompany a choir concert as part of a band, and I was ecstatic with his work. He was thoroughly prepared and throughout the entire project, he was the most important, consistently musical support for the choir and the solo pieces I had the pleasure of performing with him. He will always be my first choice when looking for bassists." - Felix Läpple