Dr. Timo Vollbrecht

Biography

Timo Vollbrecht is a saxophonist, composer, and bandleader whose work combines jazz elements with post-rock, electro-acoustic timbre, and instrumental songwriting. Originally from Germany, he is an active member of the artistic communities in New York and Berlin. Vollbrecht leads the band FLY MAGIC, which has toured 30 countries and recorded numerous albums, performing at landmark venues such as the Village Vanguard and NYC’s Winter Jazz Fest. His trio includes guitarist Ben Monder and vocalist Theo Bleckmann, and he has collaborated with notable musicians like Branford Marsalis and Kenny Werner. His latest recordings include "Fly Magic" (2016) and "Faces Places" (2018), with the latter being featured in influential playlists on Spotify. Vollbrecht's newest album, "Givers & Takers" (2022), received accolades from Jazziz Magazine and was recognized as an Editor's Pick. Described as a "luminously-fine" saxophonist, his music showcases rhythmic fluidity and intricate twists. As a composer, he has worked on dance, film, and podcasts, and has written a string quartet that was performed by the JACK Quartet in New York City. He also conducts scholarly research and holds a Ph.D. from NYU with a dissertation titled "Manfred Eicher, ECM Records: Analysis Producer Auteur," which provides a case study on collaborative work in recording studios, highlighting the role of the producer as an improviser and ‘instrument’ in the studio. Currently, he is the Director of Jazz Studies at Brown University, leading the Brown Jazz Band and teaching various courses in the Music Department.

Research Interests

Courses