Joachim Ernest Berendt

In Germany, Joachim E. Berendt was called the jazz pope, and indeed he was the most influential non-musician in the German jazz scene for more than 50 years. He was founding member of South West German Radio (Sdwestfunk) and produced more than 250 records, including many issued on the MPS-SABA label. In 1953, he first published The Jazzbuch, which became the most successful history book on jazz worldwide. His collection of records, books and jazz documents became the basis for the Jazzinstitut...See more

In Germany, Joachim E. Berendt was called the jazz pope, and indeed he was the most influential non-musician in the German jazz scene for more than 50 years. He was founding member of South West German Radio (Sdwestfunk) and produced more than 250 records, including many issued on the MPS-SABA label. In 1953, he first published The Jazzbuch, which became the most successful history book on jazz worldwide. His collection of records, books and jazz documents became the basis for the Jazzinstitut Darmstadt before he died in an accident in 2000. His contributions to jazz are internationally recognized to this day. See less