Rainer Bruninghaus
b. 21 November 1949, Bad Pyrmont, Germany. Bruninghaus studied piano and music at Cologne Conservatory (1973-6). After graduation he joined Volker Kriegel's group Spectrum before moving on to Eberhard Weber's influential band Colours(1975-80). Though it infuriated Weber when critics sometimes spoke of the band as a European counterpart to Weather Report, there were times when Bruninghaus's compositions leaned very close to the Americans’ style, particularly on Colours's later albums. He made a crucial contribution to the success of the band both in composition and in his keyboard playing which demonstrated great technical facility and a keen sensitivity. When he left Colours he worked with Manfred Schoof's quintet then in 1981 formed his own trio with Marcus Stockhausen (trumpet) and Fredy Studer (drums). Their CONTINUUM won the German Record Critics’ Prize in 1984. Throughout his career Bruninghaus has worked with a wide range of musicians including Kenny Wheeler, Albert Mangelsdorff, Toots Thielmans, Archie Shepp, Carla Bley and Bobby McFerrin. He composes and arranges for big bands and has continued with classical composition. When there is opportunity, he also teaches at a music college in Cologne.