Göetz Alsmann
Göetz Alsmann
Genres: swing, jazz, german, deutsch, easy listening
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About Göetz Alsmann
Götz Alsmann (born 12 July 1957 in Münster) is a German musician, multi-instrumentalist and singer. He became known as the presenter of the WDR television programme "Zimmer frei!". Alsmann was born in 1957 in Münster as the son of foreman Erich Alsmann and his wife Leni, who originated from Yugoslavia. At the age of eight he began taking piano lessons in his neighbourhood and soon decided to pursue music as a profession. In 1964 he started school at the Josefschule in Münster. In 1973 he joined the Heupferd Jug Band, whose first album was released in 1974 with the 17-year-old Alsmann as pianist, mandolinist and banjo player. Two further albums followed in 1977 and 1979. During this period he also worked as a studio musician in the Netherlands, participating in various country and vernacular music productions. After completing his secondary education at the Johann-Conrad-Schlaun-Gymnasium in Münster and completing military service, Alsmann began studying German studies, journalism and musicology at the University of Münster in 1977. He completed his studies in musicology in 1985 with a doctorate (PhD) with a dissertation titled "Nichts als Krach: Die unabhängigen Schallplattenfirmen und die Entwicklung der amerikanischen populären Musik 1943–1963". In 1996 he appeared in the film "Alles wegen Robert de Niro", directed by Helmut Förnbacher and starring Angelika Milster, playing a supermarket cashier and bandleader. From 2006 to 2008, his Michael-Jary revue "Ich weiß, es wird einmal ein Wunder gescheh’n" was performed at the municipal theatres in Münster over three seasons, with Alsmann also appearing on stage with his band. In 2011 he was appointed honorary professor at the University of Münster, where he teaches the history of popular music. He lives in Münster, is married and has one son. In 1980 he founded the band Götz Alsmann & The Sentimental Pounders, which combined elements of rockabilly, swing and calypso. In 1985 the group achieved wider recognition with a cover version of "People Are People" by Depeche Mode, which are a British band. In 1989 this group evolved into the Götz-Alsmann-Band, with which he has regularly released albums since 1994. The band has received several awards, including Jazz Echo awards, the Goldene Stimmgabel and various German Jazz Awards in gold and platinum. Members of the band have included Rudi Marhold (drums), Markus Paßlick (percussion) and Altfrid M. Sicking (vibraphone, xylophone, trumpet). Michael O. Müller (electric bass) left the group in 2016 for health reasons and died shortly afterwards. He was succeeded by jazz musician Ingo Senst. Since 2020, Dominik Hahn has been the band's drummer. Since 2007, all albums have been released on Blue Note Records. In the Sentimental Pounders period, musical influences also included musicians associated with the British band Roxy Music, which are a British band. Andy Mackay and Bryan Ferry were cited as inspirations for Alsmann's hairstyle, with Ferry being a solo artist and Mackay also known for his solo work. The band's album trilogy was recorded in Paris, New York City and Rome, focusing on the musical traditions of these cities. The first part, "In Paris" (2011), was recorded at Studio Ferber and is dedicated to French chanson. In 2014, the album "Am Broadway" was recorded in New York at Sear Sound Studio, featuring American standards from the 1930s to 1950s, interpreted with German lyrics. The final part, "In Rom", was recorded in 2017 at the Forum Music Village studio in Rome and focuses on Italian popular songs. Alsmann has worked as a radio presenter since 1985, hosting programmes for WDR including "Professor Bop-Show", "Auf den Flügeln bunter Träume" and "Go, Götz, go! – Alsmanns Radioshow". He has also worked in television since 1986, including early programmes such as "Roxy – das Magazin für den jungen Erwachsenen" on WDR. He later presented shows including the live programme "High Live" on RIAS TV, "Gong-Show" on RTL, "Avanti" on VOX, and the NDR "Spät-Show". From 2006 to 2012 he presented "Götz Alsmanns Nachtmusik" on ZDF. From 1996 to 2016, he co-hosted the WDR programme "Zimmer frei!" with Christine Westermann. The programme included interviews, games and musical performances. In 2000, the programme received the Grimme Prize, and in 2016 Alsmann and Westermann were awarded the honorary prize of the German Comedy Prize. Alsmann is known for his formal appearance, typically wearing suits with pocket squares and cufflinks. A distinctive feature is his hairstyle, which he has worn since the age of 15. He has stated that it was inspired by the hairstyles of Bryan Ferry and Andy Mackay, as seen on early photographs of Roxy Music's debut album cover. Full Wikipedia article: Studio albums Party Time (1982) Saratoga Suitcase (1985) 12 to 6 (1988) Big Bamboo (1993) Zazou (1995) Gestatten… Götz Alsmann ("Pleased to Meet… Götz Alsmann", 1997) Zimmer Frei! ("Room Available!", 1998) Zuckersüß ("Sugar Sweet", 1999) Filmreif ("Ready for Film", 2001) In 80 Tagen um die Welt ("Around the World in 80 Days", 2002) Tabu! ("Taboo!", 2003) Die Feuerzangenbowle ("The Fire-Tongs Punch", 2003) Drei Mann in einem Boot ("Three Men in a Boat", 2005) Kuss ("Kiss", 2005) Max und Moritz und andere Lieblingswerke ("Max and Moritz and Other Favourite Works", 2006) Winterwunderwelt ("Winter Wonderland", 2006) Mein Geheimnis ("My Secret", 2007) Ich bin nicht Karl May ("I Am Not Karl May", 2007) Der Hund von Baskerville ("The Hound of Baskerville", 2008) Engel oder Teufel ("Angel or Devil", 2009) Herrenabend ("Gentlemen’s Evening", 2010) In Paris (2011) Am Broadway ("On Broadway", 2014) Winterwunderwelt Vol. 2 ("Winter Wonderland Vol. 2", 2015) In Rom ("In Rome", 2017) eventuell... ("Possibly", 2018) L.I.E.B.E. ("Love", 2019) Bei Nacht ("At Night", 2024)
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