Theo Jörgensmann

German clarinetist/composer Theo Jörgensmann was one of the most advanced modern free improvisers on his instrument, combining moody chamber jazz with hints of a modal hard bop sensibility. He made his first recordings in the late '70s, including 1978's quintet outing Go Ahead Clarinet and 1979's quartet Song of Vowage. During the late '80s and early '90s, he played with the experimental Dutch big band Contraband and led the Werkschau Ensemble. Jörgensmann next formed a regular quartet that would play a major role in bringing Jörgensmann's music to the attention of the international improvised-music community. 1999 was a breakout year: the quartet's Snijbloemen garnered Jörgensmann his widest recognition yet. He also recorded two albums with poet Michael Klaus. As the German Clarinetduo, Jörgensmann and bass clarinetist Eckard Koltermann issued Pagine Gialle in 2001. Theo Jörgensmann remained active into the 2020s before his death in 2025.