achim kaufmann (piano, composer, electronics) was born in aachen, germany, and has been living in amsterdam since 1996. he is involved in a number of different projects, some of them all improvised, some of them featuring his own compositions: his gueuledeloup quartet (with michael moore, john hollenbeck, henning sieverts)
melds elements of the free zone with tenderly executed dreamscape type passages
(allaboutjazz)
their two cds, gueuledeloup (red toucan, 2002) and double exposure (leo, 2000) have been called
models of some of the finest forward-thinking chamber jazz coming out of europe today
the improvising trio of achim kaufmann, frank gratkowski and wilbert de joode has released two discs so far (on konnex and on nuscope) and is currently preparing their third release of energetic, multi-layered improvised chamber music.
trio kamosc (with michael moore and dylan van der schyff) is another group that mixes composition and improvisation in unique ways, including “blatantly traditional” materials that are treated as found objects.
achim currently works on repertoires for different piano trios which he will record during the course of the year. besides, he has written music for string quartet and works as a solo performer. in 2001, he was awarded the prestigious german swr jazz award.
achim has also played and/or recorded with musicians from different backgrounds such as han bennink, george lewis, mark helias, tomász stanko, steve swallow, chris speed, jim black, paul lovens, mark dresser, wolter wierbos, tristan honsinger, gerry hemingway, misha mengelberg, lê quan ninh, peggy lee, fred lonberg-holm, paul rutherford, and many more.
selected discography:
- achim kaufmann/michael moore/dylan van der schyff kamosc (red toucan) – 2006
- kaufmann/gratkowski/de joode unearth (nuscope 1016) – 2005
- achim kaufmann piano solo knives (leo records 409) – 2004
- kaufmann/gratkowski/de joode kwast (konnex 5129) – 2004
- achim kaufmann 4 gueuledeloup (red toucan 9319) – 2002
- achim kaufmann quartet double exposure (leo records 289) -2000
- achim kaufmann trio weave (j4e 4737) – 1998
- dylan van der schyff project with michael moore/mark helias/achim
- kaufmann/brad turner definition of a toy (songlines, 2005)
www.achimkaufmann.com/