Gottfried Böttger - Jazz-Pianist und Moderator

Biography

Prof. Gottfried Böttger

Gottfried Böttger was born on the 21st of December 1949 in Hamburg

Following his first piano lesson at the age of six and first public performance at the age of eight, he formed his first Jazz band, the “Churchyard Jazzband” at the age of thirteen

1969 the Jazz-Pop group “Leinemann” was formed, producing many recordings.

1971 produced his first solo- record “Gottfried goes Happy” for Phonogramm

1973 Gottfried Böttger co-founded the group “Rentnerband”
From 1970 to 1980 followed more than 40 record-productions.

At the same time, he began studying the natural sciences at the Hamburg University. In 1973, he completed his first Diploma in Physics.

1973 Gottfried Böttger founded the “Panic Orchestra” with Udo Lindenberg and played a leading role in many record productions until 1977

For the Bremen talk-show “III nach 9”, the first German show of its kind, Böttger has worked as regular pianist from its start in 1974

1977 Gottfried Böttger completed a course of study with American blues pianist Memphis Slim in Paris. The two have since recorded together, and later also with pianist Champion Jack Dupree. There followed concerts for 2 pianos with Memphis Slim in Hanover, Hamburg and Paris

1977 began his collaboration with jazz pianist Joe Pentzlin from Göttingen. The cabaret ensemble “Gruppe 77” was founded in Bremen with, among others Uwe Nielsen and Evelyn Hamann.

Since 1978, Gottfried Böttger worked on numerous stage-music projects in Hamburg, Bremen and Göttingen (including “Die Wanze” by Majakowski, “Kaspar” by Handke, among others).

1980-82 followed recordings of works on two pianos with Joe Pentzlin.

1982 the first musical arranged by him, “Lennox Avenue” was premiered in Hamburg’s Macadam theatre.

1985 began his collaboration with Director and actor Gerlach Fiedler. Programmes included, among others “a Tucholsky Evening”, “a Borchert Evening” and “Der Kleine Prinz” by A. de Saint-Exupéry.

Since 1987, Gottfried Böttger has produced many film scores including those for the films “Tatort”, “Peter Strohm” and “Großstadtrevier”.

From 1988 until 1992 he was involved in the Schleswig-Holstein music festival.

Since 1989 he has concentrated on the areas of MIDI, digital synthesizer and sampler technology. He has also become a recognised specialist in the field of computers and music at various computer exhibitions.

1990 began collaboration with percussionist Harold Smith from Trinidad; 1991 he began to work with classical pianist Jasmin Böttger.

In the autumn of 1991, the CD “Blue Mozart” (piano 4-hands; classical and jazz simultaneously) was produced with Jasmin Böttger for ARIS/ARIOLA. “Blue Beethoven” (on two pianos) followed in 1992.

A solo project “Handmade” was published in the summer of 1992 on the ARIS/ARIOLA label.

In August of 1993 a high-profile performance was given by him and Chuck Berry for the opening festivities of the athletics world championship in Stuttgart in front of 70,000 spectators. In November 1993, he began to work with actor and author Gert Haucke.

Since the winter semester of 1993/1994, he has worked as lecturer for computer studies in the field of “computers, language and music” at the university of Hamburg.

Since 1997, he has taught as lecturer for media studies in the field of information technology at the college of Anhalt. In the winter semester of 1999/2000, he was awarded the title of professor there.

In July of 1994, he performed an evening concert of music on two grand pianos with his wife Jasmin Böttger for the opening week of the Bayreuth festival.

1994, the CD “Take Two” was published with jazz pianist Joe Pentzlin, 1996 the CD “Reedin’ Piano” with saxophonist Reiner Regel (both on Bellaphon) and in 1997 the gospel CD “Soon and very Soon” with singer Joe Curtis.

In December of 1995, he began working with cabaret artist Karl Garff. Since 1996, he has produced blues sheet music with his wife for both children and adults.

Since 1995, he has continued to work on the television program “Der Computertreff” on Germany’s NDR channel and since January 1997, his own TV-contributions on “DAS digital” are to be seen at 7:15 p.m. every Thursday on the N3 channel.