- born in 1967 in Hamburg, Germany
- 1988-1993 studied with Herb Geller and Roman Schwaller
  at the Hamburger Muisikhochschule
- 1990-1993 played 1st alto saxophone with the Bundesjazzorchestra
  directed by Peter Herboltzheimer. During this time continued lessons
  with Ferdinand Povel and John Rocco

- As 1st Tenor saxophonist recorded and played concerts with the
  NDR Bigband with musicians like Johnny Griffin, Lional Hampton,
  Al Jarreau, Clark Terry, Albert Mangelsdorff, Geir Lynse, Inga Rumpf,
  Wolfgang Schlüter and Nils Landgrin amongst others
- Summer 1993 received a full scholarship from the DAAD to study
  one year at the New School in New York City
- Studied in New York with Lee Konitz, Dewey Redman, Dave Liebman,
  Rich Perry, and Kenny Werner.