Sebastian Gille
Lecturer of Jazz Saxophone, Jazz Clarinet and Jazz Flute
Hochschulzentrum am Horn Klostergebäude Am Palais
Sebastian Gille (*1983) is a multiple award-winning saxophonist and composer living in Cologne. He is a lecturer for saxophone, flute, clarinet and ensemble at the Franz Liszt University of Music in Weimar and the University of Music in Nuremberg.
Throughout his impressive career, Sebastian Gille has collaborated with renowned artists worldwide, including David Liebman, Steve Swallow, Billy Hart, Abdullah Ibrahim, Lionel Loueke, Richie Beirach, Joey Baron, Ralph Alessi, Jim Black, Thomas Morgan, Tom Rainey, David Binney, Pablo Held, Mark Ducret, Christian Lillinger, Jozef Dumoulin, Pedro Martins, Simon Nabatov, Rolf & Joachim Kühn, the WDR & NDR Bigband.
Gille completed his studies at the University of Music and Theater in Hamburg and expanded his skills through lessons with outstanding saxophonists such as Phil Woods, David Liebman, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, and many others. His musical excellence has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Dr. E. A. Langner Jazz Prize, the Jazz Promotion Prize of the Cultural Forum Schleswig-Holstein, a full scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation, an art scholarship from the Claussen-Simon Foundation, and the Hamburg Jazz Prize. In October 2018, the Cologne saxophonist Sebastian Gille received the SWR Jazz Prize, the oldest jazz award in the German-speaking world.
His distinctive voice on the tenor saxophone can be heard on more than 50 recordings, with the music press praising him as one of the "most expressive saxophonists of our time." Jazz Podium unequivocally ranks him among the greatest woodwind players on the planet.
In addition to his roles as a bandleader and sideman in many demanding and innovative projects, as well as his teaching activities, Sebastian Gille has been a member of the Cologne KLAENG Collective for many years. Through organizing his own festivals, concert series, and workshops, he contributes significantly to the cultural scene. His impressive musical journey and continuous pursuit of artistic excellence make him a prominent figure in the international jazz scene.