Frank Möbus

Frank Möbus is a renowned German guitarist, composer, and music producer, serving as Professor for electric guitar at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (Germany) and Hochschule Luzern (Switzerland). He has been based in Berlin since 1992 and is recognized as one of Europe's leading jazz guitarists.

• Professor at Hochschule Weimar and Hochschule Luzern
• Leader and composer of the acclaimed avant-garde jazz group Der Rote Bereich
• Active performer with international ensembles such as Carlos Bica AZUL, KUU!, and Killing Popes
• Artist-in-residence and performer at major European and global jazz festivals
• Producer and band coach for emerging jazz acts

His research and artistic interests center on jazz performance, electric guitar techniques, contemporary composition, and avant-garde improvisation. Möbus's work blends intellectual rigor with expressive freedom, earning critical acclaim for its originality and complexity. His music has been described as refreshingly self-ironic, intellectually engaging, and sensorially compelling.

Though no traditional academic publications are listed, Möbus has contributed significantly to music through over 60 recorded albums as a sideman and leader, and through innovative projects that push the boundaries of modern jazz. His work reflects a deep engagement with both performance and pedagogy.

Scientific and Artistic Recognition:

• Recipient of multiple national and international awards for his music projects and productions
• Celebrated by press as one of the most important representatives of German avant-garde jazz
• Featured at prestigious festivals including Jazz Ahead, Garana Jazz Festival, and String Theory Guitar Festival

Möbus has served as a band coach and producer for emerging artists, guiding album productions for acts like Martina Linn Band, June Coco, and Nachtfarben. He has also toured globally under the auspices of the Goethe-Institut, promoting cultural exchange through music.

He is associated with several artistic ensembles and projects, including:

• Der Rote Bereich – His own group, known for intelligent arrangements and anarchic humor
• Carlos Bica AZUL – Portuguese jazz ensemble with international reach
• KUU! – Vocal and guitar-driven experimental jazz band
• Killing Popes – High-energy improvisational group led by Oliver Steidle
• Erdmann / Rohrer / Möbus / Courtois – Collaborative quartet exploring real utopias through sound