He was born on the 12 October 1970. He began his studies in classical music at the age of 8. After some years his interest was gravitated towards improvisation and composition. He graduated from the jazz piano at the department of Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music Budapest in 1996. In the autumn of the same year he continued his studies as a private pupil of Jaki Byard in New York.

In 1999 his solo album "Songs from the 20th Century" won the "The best jazz album of the year" award.

"The recording of his solo piano concert is exceptional from many aspects: it really is jazz in a sense that is not used nowadays for defining it: catchingly spontaneous but at the same time musical, and improvisative, joyful music that emerges from familiar melodies - just like it used to be in the good old days. It is full of life, optimism; the joy of the musician cannot help, but absorb the audience. The instrumental security and virtuosity of the pianist is striking." Gramophone - Matisz László

He is searching for new ways to break out from the barriers of the traditional piano-trio. The music of the Kaltenecker Trio is world music, jazz, pop, rock, new age, all of these at the same time. This seemingly eclectic style results in a very characteristic sound.
Since 2000, the recordings of Kaltenecker Zsolt have appeared in Japan as well: six of his CDs have been sold in several thousand copies on the island so far.

"Crossing" is an elaborate album of a unique atmosphere, which of course is not surprising by the three young musicians. They are outstanding musicians even on their own, and they form a harmonic trio, playing together impeccably. Kaltenecker's playing is technically worth envying, which shows at times in virtuoso passages, or imaginative rhythm bases. (Gramophone - Vörös Eszter)

Discography:
1994
Music Box
Kaltenecker Zsolt - piano
BMM

1996
Two Pianos
BMM
Binder Károly and Kaltenecker Zsolt - piano

1997
Ivory Tower Warner
Kaltenecker Zsolt -piano, Borlai Gergő -drum, Studniczky László - bass guitar

1999
Songs from the 20th century
KCG
Kaltenecker Zsolt - piano (live recording)
The Crossing
Warner
Kaltenecker Zsolt -piano, Borlai Gergő -drum, Papesch Péter - bass guitar

2000
In the Beginning There Was The Rhythm
KCG
Kaltenecker Zsolt - piano
Dés András - percussions

2001
Rainy Films
KCG

2002
Triangular Expressions
KCG
Kaltenecker Zsolt - piano, Mohay András - drum, Barcza Horváth József - double bass
Wanderlust
KCG
Kaltenecker Zsolt - piano& synthetisator, Dés András -percussions, Papesch Péter - bass guitar
Melodies
Juice Records
Andrew J -turntable, Kaltenecker Zsolt - keyboards

2003
Sad (with AKA)
Artist Edition
Andrew J - turntable, Jeli András - bass guitar, Kaltenecker Zsolt - keyboards

2004
Alchimia
KCG
Kaltenecker Trio

2005
Shantansz