Wolfgang Haffner, born in 1965, is regarded as Germany’s number one jazz drummer. His father has been a church musician and Haffner already had piano and drum lessons by the age of 6. When Haffner was 18, Germany’s most famous jazz musician Albert Mangelsdorff hired him into his band.

Since then, Wolfgang Haffner has been working with several outstand international artists like Klaus Doldinger, Joe Haider, Al Porcino, Till Brönner or US-stars like Pat Metheny, Randy and Michael Brecker, Chuck Loeb or John Abercrombie. He is famous for his explosive drive and creativity. He has also been drumming on several ACT productions for artists like Nils Landgren or Lars Danielsson.

Due to his dynamic and powerful way of drumming, Haffner has also worked for rock- und pop stars like Chaka Khan, German hip hop band “Die Fantastischen Vier” or “Nightmares on Wax”. Haffner soon started to produce and compose music as well and started his own projects, like US-fusion band „Metro“ and NuJazz-ensemble “Zappelbude“.

Haffner has released three solo albums on ACT. His ACT debut “Shapes“ was well received by critics and fans all over Europe. The album was awarded the German Jazz Award. For his second ACT album “Round Silence“ Haffner won the 2010 Echo Jazz Award – the “German Grammy” – in the category “best German drummer”.

The music on his most recent album „Heart of the Matter“ (November 2012) is the consistent sequel to the music Wolfgang Haffner presented on his previous albums. German newspaper “Der Stern” simply refered to Haffners productions as “addictive”: Organic music with a sovereign groove, substantial melodies, full of colours and room for imagination. With special guests: German jazz stars Götz Alsmann and Till Brönner and Thomas Quasthoff as well as Sting-guitarist Dominic Miller.