Wolfgang Haffner is an exceptionally gifted drummer, with an outstanding reputation that has transcended the jazz world. He has left his personal mark on collaborations with a wide variety of acclaimed artists, and the musical results speak for themselves. Without a doubt, the two-time recipient of the coveted German ECHO Prize in the jazz category is the most well-known German drummer at home and abroad, one of the few German musicians who have pursued a successful worldwide career. The list of musicians with whom Haffner has recorded and gone on tour is almost endless: Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Pat Metheny, Gregory Porter, Jan Garbarek, Nils Landgren, Nils Petter Molvaer, Till Brönner, Bill Evans, Bob James, The Manhattan Transfer, Die Fantastischen Vier, Thomas Quasthoff, Albert Mangelsdorff, Konstantin Wecker, and Klaus Doldinger, to name only a few. But as many of the best in his profession, Wolfgang Haffner is never content with simply playing drums: he soon began to compose and produce, as well. In his performance at Oberhausen, Haffner will present his new programme, “Haffner plays Haffner,” exclusively featuring his own compositions in brand-new arrangements. For this special project he has teamed up with two outstanding musicians: pianist Simon Oslender and bassist Thomas Stieger. Oslender is one of the German jazz scene’s new shooting stars: his debut CD “About Time,” with trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Bill Evans as guest stars, jumped immediately into the German jazz Top 10 chart. Oslender is a member of the band Bill Evans & the Spykillers, and in spite of his youth has already gone on tour in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. We can all look forward to Wolfgang Haffner’s sixth appearance at the Ruhr Piano Festival, featuring the debut of a jazz pianist about whom we will certainly be hearing a lot in the future!