Rolf Kühn & TRI-O feat. Joachim Kühn live at JazzBaltica 2011

Rolf Kühn - Clarinet
Joachim Kühn - Piano
Ronny Graupe - Guitar, Electronics
Johannes Fink - Bass
Christian Lillinger - Drums
Jazzbaltica Salzau, July 3, 2011

1. Mamarazzi (Rolf Kühn)
2. Lifeline (Rolf Kühn)
3. Auf Tauris (Ronny Graupe)
4. Changing The Umbrella (Joachim Kühn)
5. Spacerunner (Rolf Kühn)

Blättert man in der von Maxi Sickert vorgelegten und im Rahmenprogramm von Enjoy Jazz 2009 auch vorgestellten Kühn-Biografie „Clarinet Bird“, dann staunt man nicht schlecht, hat dieser Musiker doch eine – zumal für deutsche Verhältnisse – ganz exzeptionelle internationale Karriere hingelegt. Entdeckt wurde der in Köln geborene Rolf Kühn Ende der 1940er Jahre in Leipzig, ging dann erst in den Westen und bereits 1956 in die USA, wo er mit Oscar Pettiford, im Benny Goodman Orchestra, aber auch mit Ornette Coleman spielte. Es folgten Free Jazz- und Fusion-Experimente, Filmmusiken, Engagements beim NDR und als Musicaldirigent und immer wieder Aufnahmen mit seinem viel jüngeren Bruder Joachim. Dass Rolf Kühn am 29. September 2009 seinen 80. Geburtstag feierte, wird zudem kaum glauben können, wer die sehr dynamische, swingende, melodiöse und auch ins Freie drängende Musik hört, die der Klarinettist an der Seite ganz junger Musiker der Berliner Szene wie Christian Lillinger, Ronny Graupe, Johannes Fink spielt. Die kristalline Klarheit seines Tones auf dem gemeinsam eingespielten und beim Berliner Jazzwerkstatt-Label erschienenen Album „Close Up“ zeugt von ungebrochener Abenteuerlust und zeigt keinerlei Berührungsängste gegenüber jugendlichem Sturm und Drang.

Rolf Kühn / Joachim Kühn / John Patitucci / Brian Blade: Impressions Of New York Revisited live at 42nd German Jazzfestival Frankfurt 2011

Rolf Kühn | cl
Joachim Kühn | p
John Patitucci | b
Brian Blade | dr

recorded live at HR-Sendesaal, Frankfurt, October 29, 2011

Impressions of New York is an album by German jazz clarinetist Rolf Kühn and his brother, pianist Joachim Kühn, featuring performances recorded in 1967 for the Impulse! label
Although throughout much of his career Rolf Kuhn has been a swing-based clarinetist, he also has had an open mind toward much more adventurous jazz, possibly inspired a bit by his younger brother, pianist Joachim Kuhn. On this recently reissued album, the two Kuhns, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Aldo Romano perform a 33-minute suite titled "Impressions of New York," which is divided into "Arrival," "The Saddest Day," "Reality," and "Predictions." The music flows with a strong momentum, never losing one's interest. Rolf Kuhn easily keeps up with his younger sidemen, and the overall results feature strong development and some surprises. Recommended.
For the 42nd German Jazzfestival Frankfurt the Kühn brothers joined forces with John Patitucci and Brian Blade (followed by a recording session one day later, to be released on cd next January).

Rolf Kühn & TRI-O live at Jazzclub "Unterfahrt", Munich 2011

Rolf Kühn (Clarinet)

Ronny Graupe (Guitar)

Johannes Fink (Bass)

Christian Lillinger (Drums and Percussion)

recorded live at Jazzclub "Unterfahrt", Munich, March 2, 2011

Lifeline (Rolf Kühn)

Changing the Umbrella (Joachim Kühn)

Mamarazzi (Rolf Kühn)

Positive Reflections (Rolf Kühn)

Canaveral (Ronny Graupe)

Since the death of Albert Mangelsdorff, clarinetist Rolf Kühn, born in Köln and turning 82 this September, is Germany's elder statesman in jazz. He has played with such diverse figures as Jack Sheldon and Tony Oxley and his voluminous output has included trad, free and fusion, all featuring his quirkily modern compositions. Rollercoaster, Kühn's first disc for Jazzwerkstatt, finds him leading a trio whose combined age barely exceeds his. But Kühn doesn't look and certainly doesn't play old, presenting a fresh program of nine tunes written by himself, brother Joachim, group guitarist Ronny Graupe and Ornette Coleman. It is often said that the best avant-garde players are those thoroughly steeped in the classics; Kühn embodies this and his band responds with both respect and urging. 

Rolf Kühn: Blues for Swingers - The Hamburg Tapes

Rolf Kühn Combo: Hamburg Souvenirs 1962
Rolf Kühn, clarinet
Line up unknown
recorded live at Studio Hamburg, May 1962

1. Just Friends (Klenner)
2. Hämmerchen-Polka (Gietz/Bradtke)
3. Steeplechase (Charlie Parker)
4. If I should lose you (Rainger/Robin)
5. Bag's Groove (Milt Jackson)
6. Star eyes (Raye/dePaul)
7. Blues for Swingers (R.Kühn)
8. Striptease-Susie (R.Kühn)
9. Little Girl Blue (Rodgers/Hart)

Rolf Kühn is a living legend among Germany´s top jazz musicians. Having played with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Friedrich Gulda, Jimmy Garrison, Albert Mangelsdorff, Chick Corea, Randy & Michael Brecker, Eddie Daniels and his younger brother Joachim Kühn, just to name a few, he masters a wide range of styles.
Rolf Kühn recently celebrated his 80th Birthday with a great concert with the NDR Big Band. His latest record with some of Germany´s finest young jazz musicians is called "close up", released on Jazzwerkstatt.