Rüdiger Baldauf is one of the most successful trumpeters in Germany. He first studied classical trumpet at the Cologne Aachen University of Music, then as a scholarship holder at the Karajan Foundation in Berlin. Although he completed a classical education he “got infected” by Jazz, Funk and Soul at an early age. From the late 80’s to the late 90’s he was a lecturer in jazz trumpet at the Cologne Aachen University of Music. At the same time, he worked on around 100 studio albums, toured with orchestras and was also a member of several TV bands as well as German radio big bands. In June 2010, he released his first solo album “Own Style” with prominent guests from the jazz scene, such as Till Brönner, Nils Landgren, Ack van Rooyen, and Max Mutzke. In July 2010, the album reached #21 in the “Top 30 Jazz Albums” in the German charts. Throughout the years, Rüdiger has shared stages with legendary artists such as James Brown, Liza Minnelli, Seal, Shirley Bassey, Michael Bublé, Lionel Richie, Billy Cobham, Eric Marienthal, Jimmy Haslip and Jamie Cullum.