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In
2021

Following Footsteps was founded by Karlheinz Miklin Jr. and has since developed into one of the most interesting and successful modern jazz bands in Austria.

Through numerous concerts across Austria and neighboring countries, the quartet—featuring internationally recognized and in-demand musicians Gerhard Ornig (A) – trumpet, Emiliano Sampaio (BRA) – guitar, Hrvoje Kralj (CRO) – bass, and Miklin (A) – drums and composition—has developed a truly distinctive sound.

Thanks to the broad stylistic backgrounds of its members and Miklin´s compositions, the band’s music is highly varied, deeply rooted in jazz tradition, yet unmistakably modern.

After presenting their critically acclaimed 2023 debut album to many enthusiastic audiences, the band returned to their home base, Tube’s Music Club in Graz, in May 2025. There, on the same stage where they performed their first concerts in 2021 and recorded their debut album in 2022, they recorded a new album—once again capturing three nights of live performances in front of an audience.

The musical highlights from those concerts will be released on the album „In The Moment“ on Session Work Records in November 2025. And a live tour across Austria will follow in the subsequent months.

Karlheinz Miklin
Was born in Autria in 1971 and has studied Jazzdrums at the AIM in Vienna and the Musikhochschule in Graz.

As a member of his fathers´ Karlheinz Miklin Trio for 20 years he has recorded and played on big festival stages and in small Jazzclubs all over Europe and in South South America (Bra, Arg, Ven). He has been a steady member of the Luis Bonilla/Sigi Feigl Quintett for a couple of years and played and toured with the likes of Sheila Jordan, Enrico Rava, Michael Abene, Don Menza or Dena De Rose.

Since 1989 he also is a founding member of The Base. By now he and his collegues in one of Austria´s best known Indie/Rockbands have released 14 albums, played hundreds of live shows, recorded several film soundtracks and, amongst other unique projects, collaborated with the Oper Graz for a modern dance project.

Gerhard Ornig
was born in Austria 1990. He studied trumpet in Graz, Amsterdam and New York.

He is very in demand as a Big Band player and a steady member of the Orjazztra Vienna, the Concept Art Orchestra and the Jazzorchester Steiermark amongst others. Has also worked with the NDR Big Band, the Latvian Radio Big Band and the Zagreb Jazz Orkestar… He`s the leader of the Gerhard Ornig Trio which is about to releae it´s second album and is a member of bands like the Ornig/Rudzinskis Quartett, Four Seasons or Sound Pollution Eclectic. He has also worked and played all over Europe as a sideman with the likes of Miguel Zenon, Dick Oatts, Ed Neumeister and Karlheinz Miklin

Emiliano Sampaio
Was born in São Paulo in 1984. After studying Jazz guitar in Brazil, he moved to Graz/Austria in 2012 to study composition, arrangement and trombone.

As a leader to this date he has released eleven crtitically acclaimed albums with his Meretrio, the Mereneu Project and and the Mereneu Big Band and which have won several prizes internationally. He has toured all over the world with these bands and also worked internationally as a composer/arranger and conductor with Big Bands like Metropole Orkest (NL), Frankfurt Radio Big Band (D), Toshi Clich Big Band (AUS) or Uptown Big Band (CH) amongst others. He has also won several prizes at international competitions with his compositions.

Hrvoje Kralj
Was born in Karlovac, Croatia in 1993. After starting out on the electric, he then begings to study the upright bass first and Croatia and later in Graz.

He has worked and recorded with groups like the Jerko Jurin Quartet, Davor Krizic Experiment, The Coquette Jazz Band and Future Lounge and has toured all over Europe as a sideman with the likes of Don Menza, Harry Allen, Lezlie Harrison, Phil Robson. He also has toured with the KUG Jazz Orchester and Ed Neumeisters trombone ensemble. He also kept studying the electric bass and is very active in his country´s modern electronic/experimental scene.