Heinrich von Kalnein

Born on 4 July 1960 in Baden-Baden, Germany, Heinrich von Kalnein has lived for over 25 years in Austria, where he figures among the most high-profile musical personalities.

Since his graduation from the music academy where he studied with Karlheinz Miklin und Carl Drewo and took master classes with David Liebman, he has lived and worked as a free-lance musician and professor for saxophone (academy-level). In addition to touring with his own Heinrich von Kalnein Group and the Free Winds ensemble, since jan. 2003 he is co-leading the Jazz Bigband Graz. He also performs regularly as a soloist in Austria and elsewhere in Europe and has given guest performances in the USA and Far East. He has been a curator at the well-known Vienna jazz club Porgy & Bess and has worked for some years as producer and director for recordings. He is currently working as professor for saxophone, flute and ensemble at the renowned Jazz institute of the Kunstuniversität Graz.

Other credits include: TV and CD productions and film music with Adelhard Roidinger, the Graz-based Orchesterforum, Christian Muthspiel, Timna Brauer, the Jazz Bigband Graz and the Vienna Art Orchestra; also tours, festivals, CD and radio productions with the ensembles X - tra, The Quartet, Free Winds and The Heinrich Von Kalnein Group.

He has also played a. o. with Iain Ballamy, Django Bates, Bob Brookmeyer, Jay Clayton, Wayne Darling, Gil Evans, Heiner Goebbels, Jerry Granelli, Doug Hammond, the Peter Herbolzheimer Bigband, Peter Herborn, Sheila Jordan, Nguyên Lê, Charlie Mariano, Bob Mintzer, Glen Moore, Ed Neumeister, Marc Ribot, Paquito d'Rivera, Rüdiger Oppermann, Fritz Pauer, the Motus -Quartett, the Vienna Art Orchestra, Nouvelle Cuisine and the Austrian National Public Radio symphony.

One of the most polished saxophonists of the Austrian scene, Heinrich von Kalnein knows how to produce both high impact jazz and masterful lines with a lyrical feel. Warmly recommended!... " (Ljubisa Tosic - DER STANDARD/Austria)