HUGO READ

English Version

Hugo Read has developed an independent way of playing and composing in which new jazz, 
elements of contemporary music and rhythmical energy, acoustic base and electronic additions 
are combined to a sound world of its own.

Read, who is regarded as a typical representative of the new European jazz generation, wants 
to cross borders between new classical music and jazz, and in addition he sees himself as a 
composer of mostly suite-like forms as a basis of his work.

From 1972 Read studied the flute at the Cologne College of Music  with Prof. Ulrich and later 
classical saxophone with Prof. Buschmann.

Since that time there have been international concert activities in the field of  jazz and new 
classical music as well as productions of chamber music and as a soloist with orchestras 
(among other things Ensemble Modern, New Art Ensemble) with all major radio companies in 
Europe.

Since 1979 Read has cooperated with Karl Heinz Stockhausen,Stockhausen, fascinated by 
Read's musicality and hisvery lyrical sound, engaged him for a big project(Sternklang) in the 
Beethovenhalle Bonn. Later he should joinmany other concerts / tours u.a. Premieres of the 
two operasTuesday and Thursday contribute with light. Also chamber music such as "In 
Friendship" became a saxophone with his help directed.

The two pillars, jazz and new music, are still the main focus today his musical output and are 
documented on CDs / LPs, and countless radio productions.

Worldwide concert tours with various jazz groups, u.a. two Concert tours to West Africa with 
Lumpp / Read / Küttner, East /South Africa with Michael Küttner, Australia / New Zealand 
withRainer Brüninghaus and Trilok Gurtu, Middle East with Brüninghaus / Read / Thönes, 
DDR with Manfred Schoof, Switzerland with Thierry Lang Quartet, England with the NDRBigband with Abdullah Ibrahim, several big tours with Riot andKenny Wheeler, 
appearances at the Berlin Jazz Days, MunichJazz Festival / Frankfurt Jazz Festival (Key), Expo Sevilla (NRW Pool),                               
Kuwait Jazz Festival / Poznan Jazz Festival (H.Read Quartet),                                              
World's Fair Hannover (M. Küttner) World Exhibition,                                                 
collaboration with Peter Herborn's Acute Insides, Jazzfestival Burghausen (Axis)             
Montreux Jazz FestivalJazz Festival Zurich ,Midem 2001 Cannes (Thierry LangQuartet), 
Jazz Festivals in Manchester / Paris / London / Rome, (NDR Bigband)Participation at the International Jazzmeeting Baden-Baden, KonzerthausVienna, Philharmonie Berlin, Philharmonic Cologne (Ensemble Modern)Collaboration with Swiss pianist Thierry Lang (CD NAN "on BLUE Note Records

Various ensembles together with the drummer Thomas Cremer (CD "AXIS")             with 
Heiri Känzig, Claus Stötter and Matthieu Michel),Silent Bass with Manfred Bründl, Achim KaufmanJonas Burgwinkel and later Rainer Böhm (3 CDs) Electric Bundle with Stephan Schmolck, Eric Schäfer, with Bob Degen and Jon Schroeder (2 CDs).

Since the mid-nineties cooperation with his duo partner Peter Degenhardt,                                       
(2 CDs with works by Hindemith, Ibert, Martin,Schulhoff, Bartok, etc.).

Since 2015 collaboration with the pianist Thomas Rückert, concertsat the Hildener Jazztagen, WDR recording production,2 CD´s

Under his own name Hugo Read presented u.a.Commissioned works for the NDR, SWF and WDR, Forum 20 Düsseldorf,

Composers Orchestra, (including Contrasts for Strings, 2 Pianos and Jazz ensemble) as well as the C.D. "Songs of a Wayfarer" on Nabel Records                                                                                                                     "of pain and glory"Dooblemoon Records

In the publishing house „Verlag Neue Musik“ appeared: Contrasts for saxophone or

Clarinet Solo (NM808) as well as "Eight Pieces for Two Saxophones and Piano "(April 2007).

In the music publishing house Hayo: Lyric mass for mix.. Choir,organ,Soprano saxophone and 

double bass (HY 2055) world premiere 2015 in Hungary with Ars Nova.Stabat Mater for Choir,Organ (Piano) and Soprano Saxophone

In the publisher Hubertus Nogatz "Six pieces for two saxophones and piano

(K & N1510).

Hugo Read has been awarded the prize of the state of NRWoutstanding achievements in the field of jazz and new music, and from  1991 to 2024 professor for saxophone and ensemble conducting at theFolkwang University of Music Essen.

Teaching at the saxophone symposium in Trossingen, as well as the European Academy Montepulciano, regular workshops in Merano, Neuburg a.d.Donau, Bergischer Jazz Workshop,

Teaching at German universities such as (Weimar, Mainz, Hanover, Oldenburg,Aachen,Düsseldorf

Jury at the national competition Jugend Musiziert and Bundespreis winner"Youth jazz".

Current ! Saxophonquartett "Forms and Colours" Chili Music