Ben Kraef/Rainer Böhm Quartet

A scholarship enabled Berlin-based tenor saxophonist Ben Kraef to study at City College in New York with John Patitucci and Lee Konitz.  He is also a prize winner at various national and international competitions (Biberach Jazz Prize, Concours International de Jazz de Fribourg, Yamaha Saxophone Contest). 
The list of jazz musicians with whom Ben has shared the stage is long: Lalo Schifrin, Archie Shepp, Phil Woods, John Abercrombie, John Clayton, Fred Hersch, Gunther Schuller, Tania Maria, Jim McNeely, Peter Herbolzheimer, David Gilmore, Jeff “Tain” Watts, James Genus, George Garzone, Herb Geller, Vincent Herring, Pee Wee Ellis, Ari Hoenig, Charles Tolliver, the Hessischer Rundfunk Big Band, and the WDR Big Band.
His debut album, *Berlin – New York*, was released in 2010 on ACT. *Berlin – New York* was recorded in New York with John Patitucci, Marcus Gilmore, and Rainer Böhm. Jazz legend Albert “Tootie” Heath and John Patitucci contributed to Kraef’s second album, ‘Think of One’ (shoebill music).
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Ben Kraef has been teaching at the Jazz Institute Berlin (University of the Arts) since 2021.
Rainer Böhm, with whom Kraef recorded his debut album, will be on piano for this concert. Böhm is a true standout in the piano scene. He is a professor in Mannheim and Würzburg and a highly sought-after sideman. Together with bassist Henning Gailing and drummer Hendrik Smock, he forms a brilliant rhythm section.

Ben Kraef (saxophone)
Rainer Böhm (piano) 
Henning Gailing (bass)
Hendrik Smock (drums)

Admission: 25/15€