Gunter Hampel

Hampel worked with younger musicians and in regular workshops for children and youth.

The recorded working language is German. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are jazz and jazz-funk. Distinctions recorded are Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Medal of Honor of Göttingen City and Lower Saxony State Prize.

• Name — Gunter Hampel • Born — 31 August 1937 • Birthplace — Göttingen, Gau Southern Hanover-Brunswick, German Reich • Died — 18 May 2026 • Genre — Free jazz • Occupation — * Musician • Composer • Instrument — Vibraphone, clarinet, saxophones, piano, flute • Label — Birth • Website — http: gunterhampelmusic.de

Hampel was born in Göttingen on 31 August 1937. He took piano lessons from age five. He was first exposed to jazz after World War II when troops occupying his hometown listened to it on the American Forces Network; he first heard Louis Armstrong and was impressed. Hampel remembered that he first jammed on is accordion at age eight with an African-American soldier who lived with the family. He learned to play recorder, accordion, clarinet, saxophone and vibraphone by age 16. He founded jazz bands as a teenager, playing different styles, and also began composing. Hampel studied architecture and classical percussion, because jazz studies were not established at the time. He became dedicated to free jazz professionally in the 1960s. He moved to Amsterdam and became friends with jazz players there. In 1964 he moved to Paris, where Eric Dolphy introduced him to the bass clarinet. He formed a quintet with Manfred Schoof, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Buschi Niebergall and Pierre Courbois; their 1965 recording Heartplants is regarded as among the earliest example of European free jazz that was internationally recognised. Their free jazz sounds impressionist and relaxed, more spiritual than virtuoso. • Illustration — Jeanne Lee in 1984 Hampel met the vocalist Jeanne Lee, whose symbiosis of singing and dance inspired him. They made duo albums such as Scheiße '71, and got married. She took him to New York City and initiated collaborations with saxophonist Marion Brown, trumpeter Don Cherry and pianist Cecil Taylor, among others. Returning to Göttingen, Hampel founded a record label, Birth Records, in 1969; the first album they produced was The 8th of July 1969, a collection of his compositions performed by a group with Lee, Anthony Braxton, percussionist Steve McCall, sax-player Willem Breuker, and bassist Arjen Gorter. He also worked with John McLaughlin, Muruga Booker, Laurie Allan, Udo Lindenberg, Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, Steve McCall, and Perry Robinson. From 1972 Hampel lived alternating between Göttingen and New York City, where he formed the Galaxie Dream Band in the mid-1970s, pursuing an international collaboration. Other formations were Free Jazz Trio, World Community Orchestra, and New York Orchestra. In the 1990s Hampel collaborated with hip hop musicians, including Jazzkantine. He kept working with younger musicians, interested in jazz in context with improvisation, dance and literature. He was active in workshops and other formats to reach children and youth. • Illustration — Hampel with his daughter, Cavana Lee, at the Moers Festival in 2012 Hampel performed on stage until a few weeks before his death, playing piano and vibes with his daughter Cavana Lee Hampel and his son Ruomi. Hampel died on 18 May 2026, at the age of 88.

Gunter Hampel is recorded with the occupation jazz musician. Classed in the genre jazz-funk. Recorded as composer, clarinetist, pianist, saxophonist and musician.