If you’d like to find out how I went from a picture-perfect village in the Austrian Alps to the jazz scene of New York City to carrying the unique distinction of being the first woman in the WDR Big Band Cologne to leading my quartet KLARO! and to becoming an empowerment teacher for women in jazz—

read my story here.

or just continue for my

short bio in English

From a picture-perfect village in the Austrian Alps, to the jazz scene of New York City, to carrying the unique distinction of being the first woman in the WDR Big Band Cologne to leading her quartet KLARO!—alto saxophonist Karolina Strassmayer is on a quest for adventure and authenticity. Jazz writers called her “one of the most interesting saxophonists of her generation” (Doug Ramsey), a “supreme balladeer” (Arnaldo DeSouteiro) and the readers of Downbeat Magazine voted her among the best on her instrument several years in a row in the polls. She has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and her discography includes over 80 recordings, 9 of which were either nominated for or received a Grammy.

KLARO! is a compelling quartet in collaboration with her partner in music and life, New York drummer Drori Mondlak. They have crystallized their artistic visions into an original and deeply personal sound. Outstanding musicians like pianist Rainer Böhm, vibraphonist David Friedman or bassists Hans Glawischnig and Thomas Stabenow, complete the quartet.

Before joining the WDR Big Band in 2004, Strassmayer immersed herself in the New York jazz scene for over 15 years, playing with Chico Hamilton, the Diva Jazz Orchestra and many others.

Karolina is also a professor for jazz saxophone at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. She is the founder and director of the Folkwang Mentors for Women in Jazz and gives empowerment courses for women in jazz she calls “Come Into Your Power.”

As a member of the WDR Big Band Cologne she has played with Joe Zawinul, Ron Carter, McCoy Tyner, Gary Burton, Chris Potter, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Randy Brecker, Eddie Daniels, Maria Schneider, Take 6, Maceo Parker, John Scofield, Dave Liebman, Benny Golson, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Bob Mintzer, Vince Mendoza, Mike Abene, Chuck Owen, Roy Hargrove, Nicolas Payton, Mike Mainieri, Antonio Sanchez, Kenny Wheeler, Dick Oatts, Mike Stern, Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, Jeff Hamilton, Mike Mossmann, John Clayton, Bill Evans, Knower, Marshall Gilkes, Michel Camilo, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Chano Dominguez, Paquito D’Rivera, Will Lee, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Billy Hart, Al Foster, Richard Bona, Victor Bailey, Stefon Harris, Christian Elsässer, Florian Ross, Ansgar Striepens, Luciana Souza, Jazzmeia Horn, Chucho Valdes, Lizz Wright, Dave Stryker, Till Brönner, Rufus Reid, Fred Hersch, and many others.

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