Rolf Kühn: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
• Groups/Boards
• Fan Sites

• Jimmy Giuffre
• Perry Robinson
• Alvin Batiste
• Tony Scott
• Gunter Hampel
• John Carter
• Bill Easley

• Benny Goodman
• Buddy DeFranco

• Joachim Kühn

• Walter Quintus

Born:

Sep 29, 1929 in Cologne, Germany

Genres:

Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Classical Music, Swing

Decades Active:

1950's|1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Low

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

Rolf Kuhn's style has evolved through the years. The clarinetist started out playing in German dance bands in the late '40s. He worked with radio orchestras starting in 1952 and moved to the U.S. in 1956. Kuhn subbed for Benny Goodman on a few occasions during 1957-1958, played in the Tommy Dorsey ghost band (1958), and worked in a big band led by Urbie Green (1958-1960). In 1962, Kuhn returned to Germany, where he has explored more adventurous styles of jazz (including dates with his younger brother, keyboardist Joachim Kuhn) but still occasionally shows off his ties to swing. Kuhn recorded with an all-star group called Winner's Circle (1957), Toshiko Akiyoshi (1958), and as a leader starting in 1953, including a 1956 New York quartet date for Vanguard.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide