Ralf Frohnhofer, born 1978, is considered one of the up-and-coming saxophonists of his generation in the jazz scene of the Rhine-Main-area. His style is marked by a sonorous sound with a warm, sunny tone and a feel for harmony and melody. His playing is sensitive and lyrical and he brings out details and the finest nuances with the utmost care. His improvisations are impressive with their nonchalance and technical brilliance. His versatility is equally imposing. He not only plays soprano and tenor saxophone, flute and clarinet, but also aims to surprise his listeners. Breathy ballads full of feeling are as much part of his repertoire as powerful pieces with a meaty sound and fast solos featuring wild runs.
Ralf Frohnhofer has been playing the saxophone since he was 15. His teachers include Rich Perry, Joel Frahm, John Purcell, Dave Liebmann, Garry Dial, Walt Weiskopf, Peter Weniger, John Ruocco, Tony Lakatos, Thomas Bachmann, Steffen Weber und Paul Heller. He studied arranging with Peter Herbolzheimer, Ed Partyka, and Joachim Ullrich.
He has played for the Federal Youth Jazz Orchestra “BuJazzO”, the Frankfurt Radio Orchestra, the Wurzburg Jazz Orchestra, the musical “Alice im Wonderland”, and others. He has collaborated with well-known artists such as Randy Brecker, Ack van Rooyen, Willi Ketzer Trio, Peter Tuscher, Dusko Goykovich, Greg Abate, Terrell Stafford, Dave Stryker, Bob Mintzer, Joy Flemming, Robert Lachner, Ed Partyka, Jiggs Wigham, Tony Lakatos, Thomas Gansch, Tom Gabel, Max Mutzke, ZAZ, Frederik Koster, Charlie Mariano, Herbert Joos, Thomas Gansch, Matthias Ruegg, Ingolf Burkhardt, Sebastian Sternal, Silvia Droste, Pe Werner, Ron Williams, InZeit Ensemble, Wollie Kaiser, Adrian Mears, Bill Ramsey, Peter Herbolzheimer, Yamaha European Youth Jazz Orchestra, Bayrischer Rundfunk – Radio Symphonie Orchester, Munchen, Jane Monheit, Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Jim McNeely, Mike Holober, Jorg Achim Keller and many more.
He also played different television shows for german broadcasts ARD, ZDF, SWR, HR and ProSieben such as Schlag den Raab or Bundesvision Song Contest. He studied at the Conservatory of Mainz University, at the Conservatory of Saarbrucken University, had lesson at Manhattan School of Music, New York, and took his degree as Music Teacher. Since 2009 he is officially endorsed by AIZEN mouthpieces.
