One of Europe's finest free jazz trombonists, Bauer is one of those many unfortunate artists who have largely fallen through the cracks of public and critical consciousness. He's no secret among musicians, however; his many collaborators include such leading avant-gardists as Louis Sclavis, Derek Bailey, Han Bennink, Anthony Braxton, Peter Brotzmann, Gerry Hemingway, Fred van Hove, Peter Kowald, George Lewis, Butch Morris, Tony Oxley, and Barre Phillips. Bauer spent his early career in East Germany, studying trombone in Dresden and Berlin. He spent the '70s and '80s leading his own bands in the GDR; he led the state jazz orchestra in 1987-1988. His profile rose in the '90s as he began recording for Western labels. His solo appearance at the 1991 Victoriaville (Canada) Festival was recorded and issued on the Victo label. He's since recorded several times under his own name and as a sideman for the Intakt and FMP labels, among others. His brother Johannes Bauer is also a prominent free jazz trombonist. ~ Chris Kelsey