R.I.P Klaus Doldinger (Jazz musician and composer) died at the age of 89

Klaus Doldinger (German:; 12 May 1936 – 16 October 2025) was a German saxophonist known for his work in jazz and as a film music composer. He received the 1997 Bavarian Film Award (Honorary Award). He was also a frequent collaborator of German filmmaker Wolfgang Petersen on many of his films as a score composer.

Doldinger was born on 12 May 1936 in Berlin, Germany, and entered a Düsseldorf conservatory in 1947, originally studying piano and then clarinet, graduating in 1957. In his student years, Doldinger gained professional performing experience, starting in 1953 in the German Dixieland band The Feetwarmers, and recording with them in 1955. Later that year, he founded Oscar's Trio', which modeled on Oscar Peterson's work. During the 1960s, he worked as a tenor saxophonist, working with visiting American jazz musicians, Beat groups like Ian and the Zodiacs and recording in his own right.

Doldinger's jazz band Passport (2008) Doldinger's recurring jazz project Passport,[1] started in 1971 (then called "Klaus Doldinger's Passport"), still enjoys success in Germany. In its influence it was sometimes called the European version of Weather Report.

At various times members of Passport included Peter O'Mara (guitar), Roberto DiGioia (keyboards), Patrick Scales (bass, since 1994), Ernst Stroer (de:Ernst Ströer) (percussion, since 1989), Christian Lettner (drums, since 2000), Michael Hornek (keyboard since 2009), Biboul Darouiche (percussion, since 1995) and others. Guests include Brian Auger (1973), Johnny Griffin (1973) and Pete York (1973).

The first true Passport album had strong ties to Amon Düül II, containing contributions from Olaf Kübler, Lothar Meid and Jimmy Jackson. He contributed film scores to the German U-boat film Das Boot (1981) and later The NeverEnding Story (1984), directed by frequent collaborator Wolfgang Petersen. He also composed the musical theme of the long ongoing German-Austrian-Swiss series, Tatort.

Doldinger married Inge Beck in 1960; they had three children, Viola, Melanie and Nicolas. From 1968, they resided in Icking, a small Bavarian village, south of Munich. On 1 September 2022 he released his autobiography Made in Germany.

Das Boot - Klaus Doldinger Soundtrack

Klaus Doldinger – Tatort (live)

Klaus Doldinger's Passport - Infusion Rag

 

Last edited: Oct 18, 2025 at 7:23 PM

Listen to the "wall of sax" on the first tune:

 

This is one of my favorite tracks.

 

Amon Düül II's album Phallus Dei is an all time classic

 

Edgar Weissenfels, Wersi Sonic. "Flight on the Lucky Dragon" (The Neverending Story)

Composer Klaus Doldinger Recorded live! Without backing track or false bottom!

 

Passport is awesome!
I got a ton of Passport vinyl that needs to get slid over to digital.