Christof Lauer Releases Solo Saxophone Album 'Odyssea Sonorum'

Christof Lauer, a German saxophonist active since the 1970s, has released his first solo album in over a decade, 'Odyssea Sonorum', on the Berlin-based label An:Bruch. The album features live recordings from a concert series Lauer initiated in 2019 with the Jazz-Initiative Frankfurt. It includes three tracks from 2025, totaling 52 minutes, consisting entirely of spontaneous improvisations without thematic framework. Lauer performs on tenor and soprano saxophones without accompaniment, creating a dialogue with himself, the resonant church space, and the audience. The album showcases his expressive range from meditative sounds to ecstatic altissimo clusters. An:Bruch was founded by drummer Nathan Ott in February 2025; 'Odyssea Sonorum' is its third release and second album. Lauer's collaborations include Carla Bley, Joachim Kühn, and the NDR Bigband. His awards include the ECHO Jazz (2015), Hessian Jazz Prize (2005), and multiple German Record Critics' Awards. Upcoming concerts in 2026 include dates at Frankfurt's Alte Nikolaikirche and Mainz's St. Ignaz. A documentary portrait by Lucie Herrmann exists.