Rolf Kühn is dead. The renowned clarinettist, composer and bandleader died on August 18, 2022 at the age of 92 in Berlin. Kühn could look back on a spectacular, international career: he performed with John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley, among others, and played in Benny Goodman’s band for two years, which he later even led.
Kühn was born in Cologne on September 28, 1929, then grew up in Leipzig. It seemed clear early on that music should become his profession. At the age of eight he was already studying piano, music theory and composition, and at twelve he began studying the clarinet. In the 1950s he played in a number of big bands and dance orchestras and was awarded several times as the best European clarinetist. From 1956 Kühn played concerts in the USA again and again – among others with Caterina Valente, whose band he led. There things went steadily uphill for him too: A year after his first appearance in the United States, Down Beat Magazine named him a “Clarinet New Star”.
Through his acquaintance with Benny Goodman’s brother-in-law, John Hammond, he gained a foothold both as the leader of his own quartet and as part of the Benny Goodman Band. He played in Goodman’s band from 1958 to 1960, even taking on the role of band leader in Goodman’s absence. Numerous other engagements followed, including as conductor of the NDR television orchestra in Hamburg. In addition to his work as a band leader, he also composed for film and TV.
statement from his family
Kühn’s death was confirmed in a statement by his brother, the pianist Joachim Kühn, his wife Melanie Kühn and his label. “Rolf will always be remembered as the inspiring, gentle, innovative and young at heart artist and person he was. He lived a full life dedicated to music, culture and joy until his last day.
Despite his advanced age, Rolf Kühn was active until the very end. Two years ago, he said he would continue to practice for two hours a day. Several concerts in Germany were planned for September and October 2022 – including in a duo with the pianist Frank Chastienier, his brother Joachim Kühn and his trio as well as his own program “Yellow + Blue”.