Volker Kriegel
b. 24 December 1943, Darmstadt, Germany. Kriegel taught himself guitar at the age of 15 and started his own trio when he was 18. Both he and the trio won awards at the 1963 German Amateur Jazz Festival. While studying social science and psychology at Frankfurt University he met Emil and Albert Mangelsdorff and continued to develop his jazz interests. An offer to join the new band being set up by American expatriate vibes-player Dave Pikeled him to give up his studies to become a full-time musician. He stayed with the Dave Pike Set until the leader returned to the USA, at which point Kriegel and Eberhard Weberfounded Spectrum. When Weber left in 1976 Kriegel started the Mild Maniac Orchestra. In the meantime, in 1975, he had been a co-founder of the United Jazz And Rock Ensemble. In 1977 he co-founded Mood Records. As well as his musical activities, he is a distinguished cartoonist (both for journals and record sleeves), animator and broadcaster.