Burkhard Frauenlob was born in 1966 in Salzburg. At the age of 8, Burkhard took his first music lessons - on the accordion. Then at 12, Burkhard regularly played the organ for the church in Plainfeld before starting his own band. He shied away from neither heavy metal, free jazz nor electronic avant garde in order to go straight to the Hochschule für Musik Darstellende Kunst in Graz. Here, Burkhard studied jazz piano under the tutelage of Harry Neuwirth, Fritz Pauer and Dobbins (USA). In 1995, Burkhard received his diploma. He has also played with Sandra Pires, James Morrison, Bart von Liers, Mark Murphy and Simple Man.

Yukah – the first CD from the band of the same name. It sounds the way it looks: bright, colourful and cosmopolitan. Burkhard Frauenlob's project radiates energy and joy for life. Many of the musical ideas evolved while jamming with the Brazilian bass player Toni Porto on the tours with Hubert von Goisern. Frauenlob has already recorded a duo record with Porto and it was above all his influence that gave the music the latin touch it has. Magou is the title that brings the African element to the recording: here there are guest appearances from the vocal group Insingizi, the incredible virtuoso balaphon player Mamadou Diabate from Burkina Faso, as well as Hubert von Goisern. Magou is the only title with vocals: "Music has a message without lyrics too," says Frauenlob and this is his focus. [See Discography]

Burkhard also has his own musical project: Frauenlob.

The Salzburger Nachrichten says:
"The music from Frauenlob is insufficiently described by "jazz". Much rather instrumental music should be spoken of, whereby each individual composition is a gem. From afro-pop, through soul to funk-bop the earth's orbit finally leaves the direction of atonality."

In spring 2000, the CD Inner Sleeves was released.

Burkhard has worked as pianist, composer and arranger for the Lungau Big Band. The band has made appearances and recordings with - among others - Bob Mintzer (USA), Ray Anderson (USA), James Morrison (AUS), Lynne Kieran (GB), Bobby Shew (USA). There have also been several CDs, including a live recording of an acclaimed appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Burkhard, top row, third from left Photo: www.jazzbigbandgraz.com

1998 still stands as a sign of the band's 15 year jubilee, including a CD presentation and 99 followed with a sensational invitation to the 33rd International Jazz Festival in Montreux where the Lungau Big Band stood once more on the stage and took the opportunity for a live recording, which will now be presented on the tour early in 2000.

The Montreux Jazz Festival 99 was a challenge for the Lungau Big Band, but also a definition of their position in comparison to the other international festival participants. What was once started with classical swing repertoire pieces, was at the end exclusively decided by their own compositions- put together from compositions of Herbert Berger and Burkhard Frauenlob, who gave the band the chance to make music that was multi-faceted and appealing.

And this band's programme did not only convince the audience in Montreux, but also the famous critic Mike Zwerin from the international Herald Tribune, who described the Lungau Big Band and its soloists as "just as accomplished as the legendary Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis band of the 70s" - considerable praise.

The Lungau Big Band was founded in 1983 and united sturdy Lungau musicians (6 in number) as well as jazz musicians from Salzburg, Graz, Vienna and Munich, and in which in recent years about 100 musicians were active.

Famous instrumentalists and vocalists were often invited, among them: Ray Anderson (USA), James Morrison (Australia), Bobby Shew (USA), Karen Edwards (USA), Lynne Kieran (London), Rita Moreno (New York), Bill Ramsey (Hamburg), Sandy Lomax (New York), Bart van Lier (The Netherlands), Jocelyn B Smith (Berlin), Andrea Barker (Great Britain), Sandra Pires (Sidney), Karl Drewo (Austria) ...

From www.jazzbigbandgraz.com

NOX was founded in 1993 by Martin Schaberl, Michael Kneihs, Martin Kratky and Gerald Al-Shami after they met at a music workshop. After work was finished on the second CD, Yellow Clouds, in 1997, Michael Kneihs left the band. Burkhard Frauenlob took his place at the keyboards and piano. Official Site:www.nox.at