Johannes Enders

Saxophonist Johannes Enders is a diverse, distinctive player who has worked with artists as diverse as Donald Byrd, Roy Hargrove, Lester Bowie, and post-rock group the Notwist.

Born in a small city near Munich, Enders picked up the sax for the first time at 14, and went on to classical music studies at the Munich Conservatory. Upon graduation in 1988, he continued his studies with Dave Liebman and Jerry Bergonzi at the Jazz Institute of Graz in Austria. While there, Enders won first prize at the International Jazz Competition in 1989 and 1991. 1992 saw Enders recommended for a scholarship at New York's New School where he continued his jazz studies with luminaries like Branford Marsalis and Jimmy Cobb.

During this time, Enders began recording with artists like Joe Baudisch, Peter O'Mara, Joe Locke, and Harry Pepl, and made his debut as a bandleader on 1992's Reflections of South Africa, which was recorded in Capetown. 1993's Discoveries was his first recording for Enja Records, who also released 1998's Bright Nights and 1999's Home Ground.