Markus Emanuel Zaja, born in 1964 in the ancient Hanseatic city of Lüneburg, has lived in the Ruhr area since 1990. He studied musicology in Göttingen and later clarinet with Theo Jörgensmann (University of Duisburg) and Perry Robinson (New Jersey). From 1993 to 1997, he was awarded the “Künstlerwohnung Schloß Borbeck” residency in Essen.
He has given numerous concerts in the Roman cathedrals of Europe and significant galleries, showcasing his work as a composer (including music inspired by his self-built sculpture series “The Platonic Solids,” 1995 at Galerie Schüppenhauer in Cologne with a sensational live CD recording, choral and electronic works, Expo 2000, and his organ symphony “Remains of an Absent Heart” at St. Maria im Kapitol, Cologne in 1996), as well as an improviser (Museum Folkwang in Essen, Klangwelten Expo 2000 in Hannover, Bachfest Leipzig in 1995 and 2000, Oxford, Cambridge, and London in 2008, Utrecht in 2013 and 2014). He participated in the legendary “Trinkhallen Tour Ruhr” in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, a series of improvised music events featuring four bass clarinets and guests from all the arts in the kiosks of the Ruhr metropolis. His poetry books include “Dove Sei” (2012), “Sharav” (2013), and his dramatic novella “Flug nach Neu Jork” (2014). His most recent CD is “6032 32513” (2015), which was included in the longlist for the German Record Critics’ Award in April 2015.
Markus Emanuel Zaja taught at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen from 2007 to 2012.
For more information, visit: www.kzrme.de