Rolf Kuhn

Biography

29 September 1929, Cologne, Germany. After playing piano, Kühn turned to the clarinet and during the 40s and early 50s worked with numerous dance bands. His frequent broadcasts, often as leader, led to widespread popularity. In the mid-50s he was encouraged to visit the USA where he attracted attention, not least when he deputized for an incapacitated Benny Goodman in the latter’s own band. He played with several other bands, including those led by Urbie Green and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Back in Germany from the early 60s, he resumed regular broadcasting and also played concerts and recording sessions with various bands and in a startlingly wide range of styles including bop, free jazz, and jazz rock fusion. Technically, Kühn is wholly assured and in complete command of his instrument and repertoire. A virtuoso player, unafraid to explore beyond the artificial limitations imposed upon clarinettists in the jazz world since the arrival of bop, Kühn has...

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