Since the mid-eighties, Rolf Zielke has been an active member of the international jazz scene, presenting his own projects or accompanying renowned artists such as Charlie Mariano. Through years of intensive concert touring in Germany, Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA he has developed an individual but international sound.

The music of pianist and composer Rolf Zielke is a reflection of Contemporary Jazz, Latin and Brazilian Jazz and music of the ‘Middle East’.

International Festivals:
French German Jazz Series, Washington DC (USA), „Dedication to Maestro Festival“, St. Petersburg, Hermitage (Russia), „Tear Down that Wall“, Tijuana (Mexico), European Festival of Culture in Algier (Algeria), German-Kurdish Culture Days in Erbil (Iraq), Music Festivals in Bejing, Nanjing and Fuzhou (China),  Interna­tional Jazzfestival – lasi (Rumania), Ohrid Summer Festival (Mazedonien), Jazz at the Odra – Wroclaw (PL), International Jazz Fair – Poznan (PL), Dialogue of Cultures, Lodz (PL), „Mozartiana“, Gdańsk (PL),”Martinů Festtage”, Basel (CH), “Rheingau Musikfestival” (D), “Schleswig Holstein Musikfestival” (D), ”Jazztage” Hannover, ”Masala” World Music Festival Hannover, “Jazztime” Hildesheim (D)

Concerts / CD-Recordings with:

Charlie Mariano, Thomas Quasthoff, Mike Stern, Ed Motta, Hendrik Meurkens, David Friedman, Peter Weniger, Ed Schuller, Bireli Lagrene, Jiggs Whigham, Benny Baily, Red Holloway, Scott Hammilton, Krzesimir Debski, Stacy Kent, Judy Niemack, Sergej Starostin (“Moskow Art Trio”), Kaigal-Ool Khovalig (“Hun Huur Tu”), Nahawa Doumbia, Urna Chahar-Tugchi, Eda Zari, “RIAS” Big Band Berlin …

Tours:
USA (New York, Texas, Florida, Washington DC), Kuba (Havanna), Mexico (Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez), Afrika (Algerien, Kamerun), Asien (China, Türkei, Aserbaidschan, Jordanien, Irak) und in 15 europäischen Ländern (Konzerte u.a. in London, Madrid, Zürich, Rom, Warschau, St. Petersburg, Istanbul).

‘… The music played by the duo was particularly appealing to the audience. It was clean, free from useless gimmicks and artefacts, with impeccable timing and rhythm shifting that kept everyone focused …’ (The Jordan Times, Oct.09)

He currently teaches jazz piano at the ‘Hanns Eisler’ College of Music, the ‘Universität der Künste’ and the ‘JAZZ INSTITUT BERLIN.’
Rolf Zielke is the author of the music book: “Global Groove - Working with ‘Odd Meters’ in Contemporary Music - method for learning ‘uneven’ rhythms, polyrhythm and polymeters”.

Album Selection - CD-Auswahl:

2018 – Triometrics feat. Stephan Braun / Thomas Alkier
2016 – “Hot Impressions Vol. 2″ feat. Peter Weniger
2013 – „Hasretim“ (ECM) Dresdner Sinfoniker mit Gastmusikern
2011 – Rolf Zielke – Mustafa Boztüy – Duo
2009 – “Handel Jazz“ feat. Stephan Abel / Rhani Krija
2004 – “Hot Impressions” feat. Charlie Mariano
2002 – “Exosphere” feat. Mike Stern
2001 – “Rolf Zielke Trio” feat. Mustafa Boztüy
1996 – “BLOW UP” feat. Ulita Knaus / Krzesimir Dębski