About
Dirk K is known for his guitar artistry and unique sounds while keeping his soulfulness and his radiant personality. A virtuoso on nylon string, as well as Jazz guitar, his playing gives the listener a vast variety of sounds, styles, and grooves. From Smooth Jazz styles such as George Benson to Flamenco, Rumba styles such as the Gipsy Kings and all the way to Earl Klugh, Dirk K mastered all the elements and brought a new and unique approach to Jazz and beyond.
Dirk K, originally from Germany, is an accomplished guitarist, whose career began in the early 1990s. Releasing 20 CDs as a Recording Artist on Sony, Bellaphon, Fuzzy Music and on his own independent label DIP Records. In addition he recorded 12 CD’s with original projects such as Lockout Station, Quartet Equinox, Das Überschall, Acoustic Journey, etc.. He performed and recorded with renowned artists such as Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, Toots Thielemans, Dave Weckl, Brandon Fields, Alan Pasqua, Marc Johnson, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gary Meek, Rick Braun, Paul Tayler, Eric Marienthal, Darryl Williams, C.C. Thomas Jr., Al Turner, and many more.
Touring the USA and Europe many times with his band featuring trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Andy Middleton and pianist Alan Pasqua, he also toured with Das Überschall, Quartet Equinox and with Joe McBride’s Band. He appeared at Schmidteinander, a TV show, hosted by Harald Schmidt in Germany. German TV, ZDF, made a documentary about his life in the USA in 1997. In 1998 Dirk K received his Green Card for extraordinary abilities in the field of music in order to perform and reside in the USA.
His music has been featured on Smooth Jazz radio since 1997 and he had numerous top 10 singles in the charts.
Some of his career highlights are playing the National Anthem for the LA Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, receiving a Shaq hero award by Shaquille O' Neal and receiving an award from the Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown for outstanding exemplary service and support. He opened up for Sonny Rollins at the Liege Jazz Festival in Belgium, as well as for Al Jarreau in Southern California.