Urs Leimgruber

Through new playing techniques and the expansion of the saxophone sound, he has made a significant contribution to the further development of his instrument. Today, Urs Leimgruber is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary improvised music in Europe.

Many years of experience as a soloist and in a duo with percussionist Fritz Hauser. Founded the trio with Barre Phillips and Jacques Demierre in 1999. Concerts and recordings with QUARTET NOIR with Marilyn Crispell, Joelle Léandre, Fritz Hauser. Concerts with Lauren Newton, Fred Frith, Steve Lacy, Keith Rowe, Christy Doran, Günter Müller, Otomo Yoshihide in Europe, Canada, USA, Cuba, Japan, among others. In the 70s he co-founded the electric jazz free music group OM. His music is documented on various CDs on HatArt, FOR 4 EARS, Unit, Disques Victo, Leo-Records.

In the field of dance and performance he has collaborated with Mark Tompkins, Tadashi Endo, Masayuki Sumi, Fine Kwiatkowski, Irina Lorez, Jaap Blonk, Koichi Makigami.

Improvisation courses at the music academies in Linz, Stuttgart, Lucerne, Heidelberg, Weimar, Yekaterinburg, Bishkek, Havana, Santiago di Cuba, at the Conservatoire de Paris-Boulogne-Billancourt and at the “Creative Music Festival” in Kobe.