Michael Naura

b. 19 August 1934, Memel, Lithuania. Naura is a self-taught pianist and flautist who studied philosophy, sociology and graphic arts in Berlin. In the 50s he and Wolfgang Schluter (vibes) started a band that sought to mix blues, bebop and European avant garde and became one of the leading German bands of the 60s. Since 1971, he has worked as the Head of the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Jazz Department. He continues occasional work with bands and regularly accompanies Peter Ruhmkorf in poetry-jazz recitals. He is also president of Performers and Artists for Nuclear Disarmament (PANDA) in Germany.