Incomparable, unforgotten: Rolf Kühn (1929-2022)

Sometimes you really don't know what to do with your grief. Rolf Kühn died on august 18, as was only announced today. With Kühn, who as a "half-Jew" was once denied the opportunity to attend music college, international jazz has lost a pillar of support. He was perhaps the last grand master of an instrument that has unjustly fallen somewhat out of fashion, the clarinet. Above all, however, he was a wonderful person. His wisdom always remained soft, kind-hearted and people-oriented. Rolf Kühn was not only appreciated, he was loved. Also by us. From the big dance orchestra to free jazz to his late ballad album "Yellow + Blue": Kühn always remained curious and flexible in his art. He was a mentor to numerous young musicians. He was also highly respected in the USA, where he lived for a time in the same house as Billie Holiday and performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, among others. The "German Jazz Trophy" winner was a fixture in our 2023 anniversary line-up. Now there will no longer be headlines such as "Rolf Kühn shines at Enjoy Jazz" in the Mannheimer Morgen in 2019. We are stunned, saddened and feel for his loved ones, especially his wife Melanie and his brother Joachim. The loss is immeasurable. Rainer Kern & the entire Enjoy Jazz team