Johannes Lemke

The ensemble 'Lemke Nendza Hillmann' provides saxophone player and composer Johannes Lemke (born in 1966) an excellent opportunity to live out his strong inclination for crossing the borders between modern jazz and ethnic music. With his two 'comrades in arms' he has unquestionably found his ideal soul mates who additionally share his passion for toying with musical details and odd-metre playing. Since 2003 he and his two band mates have consequently developed an unmistakable band sound. In this connection live-experience (numerous concerts, radio broadcast and clinics) and intensive rehearsal periods (as preparation for up to now 3 CD recording sessions) have played an important role. To him cooperating intensely with Dominique Pifarély which brought about a confrontation with Dominique's twelve tone technique approach to improvisation as well as the recollection of Lemke's experience with Indian music inspired by working with Zoltan Lantos was of highly personal importance. With both excellent musicians 'Lemke Nendza Hillmann' toured in 2009. Moreover Lemke has been working with Thomas Rückert - one of the leading German jazz pianists - sine 2005. Their 'brilliant live-recording' (Jazzthing magazine) was released under the title 'jnana' in 2008 on Jazzsick Records. Johannes has studied extensively with many well known teachers and artists, including; Willie Thomas, Dr. Rajeeb Chorkroborty, Gerd Dudek, Charlie Mariano, Rob van de Broek and Ramesh Shotham. These and many others have encouraged Mr. Lemke to commit the time and efforts necessary in developing the skills that now identify him as one of the premier saxophone artists in Europe.