Happy Birthday Rolf Kühn – Celebration of his 90th birthday

September 30, 2019

Not only shaping the German Jazz, Rolf Kühn inspired lots of musicians worldwide during his long career.
Born on September 29, 1929 in Cologne and grown up in Leipzig Rolf Kühn already was a sought-after musician and soloist in his early years. Playing with well-known big bands, getting awarded in the 50s as Europe’s best clarinetist and in 1957 as „Clarinet New Star“ by Down Beat, he finally made the leap to New York. After a short time he became the clarinetist in Benny Goodman’s big band, and also being it’s leader in Goodman’s abscence. He then became the successor of Buddy DeFranco in the Tommy Dorsey Big Band and slowly began to form his own and unique modern clarinet tone.

In 1962 he returned to Germany and amongst other duties and jobs he accepted the direction of the NDR TV orchestra. This time led to various recordings as leader and sideman. As his younger brother Joachim Kühn took the chance to leave the DDR in 1966 the long and still active collaboration of both brothers began.

In order to celebrate the 90th birthday of the jazz icon Rolf Kühn MPS now released a 9-LP anniversary limited box set: „The Best Is Yet To Come“. The box contains a selections of previous released Rolf Kühn MPS albums as well as a new and exclusive to this box vinyl with live recordings from the 60s with his brother Joachim: Berlin Jazzfest 1966 and Newport Festival 1967.

Rolf Kühn is also still on tour at the moment. This is the chance to see a true Jazz legend live in concert.
For further info visit: http://www.rolf-kuehn.de/

27.10.2019 Mannheim, Enjoy Jazz Festival
10.11.2019 Ravensburg, Landesjazzfestival Baden-Württemberg
20.11.2019 Schwerin, Klangwert
22.11.2019 Neuburg an der Donau, Birdland
24.11.2019 Kassel, Theaterstübchen

Happy birthday Rolf Kühn and may your unique and distinctive tone live on with you for numerous years to come!

Photo credits:

Harald Hoffmann