Pianist

Rolf Zielke works in international contemporary jazz projects and with Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and oriental musicians: his musical bridge from Jazz and South America to the music of the Middle East has shaped his artistic profile in a special way. With this musical background, he performs compositions of Classical as well as Modern Music. He has worked with Charlie Mariano, Thomas Quasthoff, Mike Stern, Hendrik Meurkens and David Friedman amongst many others.

Tours have already taken Rolf around the world: USA (New York, El Paso, Florida, Washington DC), Cuba, Algeria, Cameroon, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Iraq, Mexico and to 15 European countries (concerts in London, Madrid, Zurich, Rome, Warsaw, St. Petersburg, Istanbul).

Rolf Zielke’s ensembles have received 13 awards at the jazz competition “Jazzpodium Niedersachsen” (1986, ’89 to ’91, ’93, ’95 to 2002). He received three awards at the Berlin Senate’s “Studiowettbewerb”: “Rolf Zielke Trio feat. Mustafa Boztüy” (2001); “Duo Zielke / Boztüy” (2004); Rolf Zielke’s “Hot Impressions” (2006)

Since 1997 Rolf Zielke lives in Berlin and teaches jazz piano at the University of Potsdam and at the Berlin universities Jazz Institute Berlin (JIB), Hanns Eisler and UdK.

The most important CDs:
2016 – Hot Impressions Vol. 2 feat. Peter Weniger
2013 – “Hasretim” (ECM) Dresdner Sinfoniker with guest musicians
2011 – “Duo” Rolf Zielke / Mustafa Boztüy
2009 – “Handel Jazz” feat. Stephan Abel (Roger Cicero) and Rhani Krija (Sting)
2004 – Rolf Zielke’s Hot Impressions feat. Charlie Mariano
2002 – “Exosphere” feat. Mike Stern
2001 – Rolf Zielke Trio feat. Mustafa Boztyy
1996 – “BLOW UP” feat. Ulita Knaus / Krzesimir Debski

Film and theatre compositions:
“Deszcz” (“Rain”, 1990) and “Slub Krawca” (“The Wedding of the Tailor”, 2000) in collaboration with the Polish cartoon artist Elzbieta Wasik and “Hexentanz und Teufelsschwanz” (2003): musical composition for the 100-year-old Anniversary of the “Bergtheater Thale” for orchestra, choir and ballet

www.rolfzielke.de

High resolution photos available here.