Dieter Antritter

German saxophonist in the 1950's, founder of The Latin Jazz Band in 1952. Born October 6, 1929 in Pforzheim, died August 5, 2015 in Königsbach-Stein. After the end of war, he started first to learn guitar, later he switched to soprano-saxophone. He moved to Stuttgart, to be able to connect with the local jazz-scene. On a holiday in Paris in 1949, he tried to encounter Sidney Bechet personally and failed. Eventually, he met Charles Delaunay, who opened him the possibility of jamming with contemporary jazz-greats located in Paris that time. He improved his play and built up a network with some well-known jazz musicians. When he returned to Stuttgart, he founded "The Latin Jazz Band" and used his concerts as platform for guest musicians from his Paris-connection. In 1960, this led to several recordings for Deutscher Schallplattenclub, all recorded in Stuttgart venues. Antritter was one of the worlds' longest-serving bandleader, who led his band from 1952 until his death in 2015, for 63 years.