Rolf Schimmermann is based out of Lucerne (Switzerland), the town where he was also born. He attended the prestigious “Schola Cantorum” in Paris. His formative years as a composer and pianist were spent under Pierre Boulez at the IRCAM Institute (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique) at “Centre Pompidou” in Paris, where he focused on electronic music and free improvisation. During this time in Paris he composed works for ballets and dance (including municipal theatre Aachen/Köln/Wuppertal and Lucerne) and soundtracks, including the film “Antarktis” by Fred Thielmann (under the direction of UNESCO).

The legendary “Impressario” Pio Chesini (from the concert organisation of the same name) organised for Rolf Schimmermann between 1980 and 1995, a series of concerts in the USA, Japan, Israel and Italy.

Robert Trunz, (B&Wmusic, UK/Melt2000, ZA), made it possible for Rolf Schimmermann to work in the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London and introduced him to many new contacts in England. “B&W/Melt2000” presents thework of Schimmermann in the area of fusion, jazz and pop. Working with Ray Russell, Miriam Stockley, Mo Foster, drummers Fredy Studer and Simon Phillips played an important role in Rolf Schimmermann’s musical progress. 2014 Rolf Schimmermann became a founding member of the non profit Organisation “Forest Jam Switzerland”.

The collaboration with Roli Mosimann (The Young Gods), opens new perspectives in the field of solo piano works and their sound processing.
Rolf is a professor at the University of Teacher Education in Lucerne, Switzerland.

FOREST JAM SWITZERLAND

In 2014 Rolf joined the founder members of FOREST JAM rehearsing, teaching and recording with participants of the unique event in the mountain forest of Melchtal in Central Switzerland.