1979
started playing guitar and studied Jazz with his first teacher Juergen
Sturm. Major influences: George Benson and Wes Montgomery.
1982 started to study at the Conservatory of Music in Cologne.
(Musikhochschule Koeln)
1983 recorded his first L.P. with his band “Checkpoint”, on CPR
Records.
1985 moved to Hamburg and played with local bands.
1987 moved to Los Angeles and studied at the Musicians Institute (G.I.T.),
where he got lessons form prominent teachers such as Scott Henderson,
Frank Gambale, Norman Brown and Joe Diorio.
1988 moved to Boston and went to the Berklee School of Music. Afterwards
he got lessons from John Abercrombie in New York.
1989 founded his original project:
DIRK K together with Jens Rodenberg, and moved back to Los Angeles where
he recorded at the Sunset-Sound Studios together with Joey Heredia, Tony
Dumas, Joe Broncata and J.K..
1990 his first CD in Germany:
“Kah-Bro-Duo” followed, and was used as a soundtrack for the movie:
“Fluchttraum” by Walter Wehmeyer.
1991 recorded two CD’s:
1. DIRK K - Fly to L.A. featuring: Randy Brecker, Toots Thielemans,
Nippy Noya and Wolfgang Engstfeld
2. CD: J.K. -special- featuring: Dave Weckl released on Lipstick Records
worldwide.
1992 did his first Europe Tour featuring: Randy Brecker and New York sax
man Andy Middleton.
1993 he worked together with Joe McBride and Kenny Blake. He also
recorded a CD for sax man Ulrich Lask, released on CMP Records.
1994 he recorded his second DIRK K CD - Beach Ball - released on Fuzzy
Music in 1995, produced by Peter Erskine featuring; Peter Erskine, Alan
Pasqua, Marc Johnson and Paulinho Da Costa.
1994 DIRK K moved back to Los Angeles, where he started to play concerts
with musicians such as: Peter Erskine, Randy Brecker, Alan Pasqua,
Thomas McMorran (Tom Scott band), Rique Pantoja, Gary Meek (Al Jarreau
band), et al
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1995 he started to work on his 3rd album together with the producers:
Howie Hersh and Iki Levy (Paula Abdul, Joe Cocker,Chaka Kahn, et al)
1996 he appeared on several concerts with the “J.K.-special-band”
featuring: Brandon Fields, Mitch Forman, Gary Novak, Bernie Dresel,
Terri Lyne Carrington, Tal Bergman, Peter Erskine, et al
1996 he is touring with his project featuring players such as: Otmaro
Ruiz, Bart Samolis, Michito Sanchez, Hans Zermuehlen, Dave Carpenter,
Larry Cohn, Mark Converse, Rick Craig, et al.
1997 DIRK K. released his 3rd album: “about you” on Countdown
Records / Unity Entertainment Group, featuring: Paul Taylor, Rick Braun,
Troy Garner, Todd Garner, Michael Contratto (Lenny Kravitz band), Howie
Hersh and Iki Levy.
1997 his first USA tour including: Dallas - “the Oasis Jazz festival”,
Minneapolis - “the Ribfest”, San Diego’s - “Gas Lamp Quarter
Jazz Festival”, Mission San Juan Capistrano - “Ego Fest”, Los
Angeles - Club Caprice and the Baked Potato, a.s.o..
His tour featured: Toni Maiden (Chaka Kahn), Don Wyatt (Anita Baker,
Dave Koz, Everett Harp), Hans Zermuehlen (Frank Gambale band), Michael
Shapiro (Al Jarreau, Kevin Lettau), Harvey Dee (Rod Steward). His record
hit the charts and got played up to 250 spins a week in NAC / Smooth
Jazz Radio all over the United States. In England the CD went up to
number 3 record of the year at the Jazz FM charts.
1998 DIRK K, J.K. & PETER ERSKINE released a new live album:
“LIVE”AT THE BAKED POTATO on KALLE FORNIA RECORDS.
Music Connection, L. A. : …A sterling example of top- flight
musicianship …
1999
DIRK K produced and released his 5th CD: DIRK K – Miracles -
as a recording artist on DIP RECORDS 90299-2. He is very successfully
promoting his CD throughout Southern California. His band features
players such as: Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets), Russ Miller (Gloria
Estefan) Leon Bisquera (Randy Crawford).
1999 DIRK K produced the CD: Face 2 Face for sax-man Robert Sabado.
On DIP RECORDS 90899-2.
1999 DIRK K co-produced, played and did bring his compositional talents
to the CD: Tropical Sunset for flute player Arturo Orozco.
1999 DIRK K produced his 6th CD:
DIRK K -Seasons Greetings-
for DIP RECORDS 91099-2. The CD is featuring a variety of Holiday Songs.
2000 DIRK K plays guitars for J.K.'s new CD: J.K. - Angelinos
2000 DIRK K is releasing his first CD in the new Millennium DIRK K -
Hurricane featuring Leon Bisquera - keys (Randy Crawford, Boney James,
Rick Braun, et al) and J.K. - bass
2000 DIRK K guest stars on the debut CD of singer and songwriter Esteban
The CD includes players such as Gerald Albright, Paul Jackson, et al
2000 DIRK K guest stars on J.K.'s second release in 2000 named: J.K. -
South Of The Equator
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2000 DIRK K - Urban Standards is his latest release. 10 incredible Jazz
Standards in a very new way. Featuring Kevin Flournoy keys (Shanice,
Ronnie Laws), C.C. Thomas Jr. bass (Babyface, TLC) and Tony Moore drum
programming (Gerald Albright, Boney James)
2001 DIRK K is performing the National Anthem for the LA Lakers at The
Staples Center in Los Angeles.
2001 DIRK K receives Shaq's Hero Award in recognition for his
outstanding service for Shaquille O'Neal's Shaqutacular VI and Athletes
& Entertainers for Kids
2001 DIRK K performs for Tim Braun's (Raiders) Birthday Party in Dallas
Texas
2001 DIRK K and Dan Sistos founded their Flamenco Jazz project: Acoustic
Journey. Their debut release Acoustic Journey - This Is Flamenco Jazz
receives great response from jazz legend Horace Silver to Music Icon
Herb Alpert. Everyone is raving about it. Music Connection Magazine (Los
Angeles) writes: "This tasteful, imaginative duo cover material by
classic jazz artists, and dazzle with their interpretations and their
shear dexterity of their playing"
2002
DIRK K records his 10th release at Lou Adler's studio Bu Haven in Malibu
live in only a few hours. This time he follows the tradition of straight
ahead jazz and records standards and original composition together with
Dick Weller on drums and Osama Afifi on bass. DIRK K uses his unique
jazz guitar sound and the spontaneous interaction of the three players.
The song Invitation has just been added on Americas most renowned Jazz
Radio Station FM 88.1 KKJZ
2002
DIRK K receives an award from Tim Braun (Raiders) for his outstanding
services
2002
DIRK K produced a compilation CD for the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey
entitled:
jer-ne.
2002
DIRK K produced the third CD for Sax man Robert Sabado: Cool Yule. The
CD presents 12 songs for the Holiday Season featuring Kleber Jorge and
Charlie Bisherat
2003
DIRK K got Air play for his release stolen dreams on KKJZ FM 88.1
2003
DIRK K did a compilation CD for Wall Street Records DIRK K Platinum
release will be early April.
2003
DIRK K is working on his 2003 release "when sunny gets blue"
with an all-star line-up Featuring his flamenco guitar and a
special bonus track together with Rap Artist Heather Marie Wright
