Michael Naura, born 19 August 1934 and died 13 February 2017, was a German jazz pianist, editor, and publicist. Michael Naura was born in Memel, Lithuania. He grew up in Berlin, and studied sociology, philosophy, and journalism at the Freie Universitat Berlin. After graduating, he worked as a jazz pianist in swing bands. He was the director of one of Germany’s most popular jazz bands, the Michael Naura Quintet (Quintett) from 1953 to 1964. This eclectic quintet’s music was heavily influenced initially by George Shearing, Dave Brubeck, and then later by Horace Silver’s hard bop. It also benefited from the chamber jazz of Modern Jazz Quartet. Wolfgang Schluter, a vibraphonist, was Naura’s most significant improviser. The alto saxophonists Klaus Marmulla, Peter Reinke, and Hajo Lange, as well as Wolfgang Luschert and Wolfgang Luschert were other musicians. Joe Nay was a drummer. Due to polyserositis, Naura was forced to spend a year at Wintermoor Sanatorium in 1964. This was probably due to the daily work in the heavily used jazz cellars, which were open from 9 pm to 4 AM six days a weeks. To help pay for the treatment, prominent German jazz musicians performed charity concerts. Naura was released from his active musician life to become a journalist. He became the Norddeutsche Rundfunk’s jazz editor after Hans Gertberg died. He was responsible for the development of “the most diverse and interesting jazz program in Europe”. In 1999, he retired. Naura was also an internationally renowned jazz author. He wrote liner notes for CDs and records, as well as articles in magazines, collectibles and newspapers. His knowledge was extensive. His language was full of powerful metaphors. He was not afraid to take criticisms. A close friendship was formed with Peter Ruhmkorf, the writer and lyricist. Naura was awarded the WDR Jazz Prize in 2009 for his radio journalism and jazz work. He began painting after his retirement. In 2017, he died at the age 82 in Hollbullhuus, near Husum. http://www.last.fm
