Biography Peter Lehel  

Born September 13th, 1965 in Karlsruhe, Germany           

Composer, arranger, one of Germany`s leading saxophone players

Celebrating the Artistic Excellence of Peter Lehel — 

A Maestro of Saxophone and Innovator in Contemporary Music

German jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger Peter Lehel continues to push the boundaries of modern jazz and improvised music with his exceptional talent and inventive spirit. Over a career spanning decades, he has become a vital voice known for his technical mastery, emotional depth, and versatile artistry.

Lehel’s virtuosity on the saxophone is renowned worldwide, capturing audiences with his rich, expressive tone and extraordinary command over a wide spectrum of styles—from soulful ballads to intricate improvisations. His musical narratives are marked by technical finesse and deep emotional resonance.

As a composer and arranger, Lehel effortlessly fuses jazz traditions with contemporary influences, creating works that combine sophisticated harmonies, inventive structures, and captivating melodies. His collaborations across genres and his pioneering explorations into new soundscapes continue to inspire and innovate.

A true pioneer, Lehel’s recordings and live performances are  celebrated for their originality, emotional depth, and technical brilliance. Beyond his artistry, he actively mentors young musicians, fostering a new generation committed to artistic integrity and musical excellence.

Peter Lehel stands tall as a towering figure in contemporary jazz — an artist whose mastery, creativity, and expressive power continue to leave a lasting impact on audiences and fellow musicians alike.

Musical Studies

• Music University in Stuttgart, Germany
• Ferenc Liszt Music University in Budapest, Hungary 1988-96

Jazz Awards

• Baden - Württemberg in 1997 (one of the most valuable jazz awards in Germany)
• 2nd place in 1996
• Prize of German CD Critics
  (September 2000 for CD PIPES & PHONES "suites" and 2006 for CD Hoppel Hoppel Rhythm Club "Vol. 2"))
• 1st prize at international competition Jazz and Churchorgan for the best group Pipes and Phones (August 2001, Hannover Germany)
• Donation Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg 2004
• Professorship at Music University Shengyang, China
  2007

Featured Soloist / Composer / Arranger

• in different international working groups like Barbara Dennerlein Trio,
   Oláh Kálmán from Hungary, Beeble Brox USA, Siiri Sisask Estonia, Ulisses Rocha European Brazil Trio
   
• composer / arranger for international featured soloists like Sabine Meyer, Wolfgang Meyer, Henning Wiegräbe, Albrecht Breuninger, Paquito d´Rivera, Barbara Dennerlein a.o.

Composer and Performer

• with classical orchestras like Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Wuerttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn, Budapest Chamber Symphony, Artisfact Chamber Orchestra,
   Rheinland-Pfalz Staatsphilharmonie a.o.
• recordings playing on countless CDs as a guest musician
• Producer of more than 70 published CDs with his original music

Teaching

• Music School Ettlingen since 1991,
• University of Music Karlsruhe since 2004
   (Saxophone, Bigband, Jazz Theory)
• clinics all over Germany,
• Masterclasses in China (Beijing, Shengyang, Hangzou, Dalian)
• Guest professor Shengyang Music University

Touring

• USA, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, Caribean Islands, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Greece, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Arabic Countries, Egypt, Israel, Oman, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Jamaica

About his musical ideas 

As a saxophone player Peter Lehel is standing in the heritage of the great tenor & soprano saxophonist John Coltrane and other modern players.

With his compositions he is working on combining more advanced classical composition techniques and forms with the free spirit of modern jazz improvisation.

His work includes pieces for jazz quartet, saxophone quartet and quintet, bigband, church organ & saxophone, string quartet, jazz quartet with string orchestra, chamber music and symphony orchestra with jazz soloists.

As a arranger he has been working for Barbara Dennerlein (CD "Change of Pace"), Trio Clarone with Sabine Meyer & Paquito dRivera.

He is leader of his own groups like Peter Lehel quartet, Pipes & Phones. He is member of the especially in South Korea wellknown group SaltaCello, Hoppel Hoppel Rhythm Club - Jazz For Kids.

He is regularly working with several String Orchestras like Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Artisfact String Orchestra and with Symphony Orchestras like Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz.

He founded the well-acclaimed Jazz Ensemble of State of Baden-Württemberg.

As a sideman he is working with jazz giants like Barbara Dennerlein, Oláh Kálmán from Hungary, Monika Herzig from USA, Ulisses Rocha from Brazil.

He has recorded countless CDs as a sideman and more than 70 CDs with his original music.

www.peterlehel.de

www.finetone.de

Wikipedia