Frank Gratkowski studied woodwind instruments at Hamburg University. He constantly works on extending the repertoire of his instruments: solo and in various groups, large or small. He uses unusual techniques to play his instruments and sees himself as working in contemporary improvised music. Composition and improvisation are both equally important. In 1995 he founded the first Frank Gratkowski trio with Gerry Hemingway on drums and Dieter Manderscheid on bass. Since then, he is part of various …