Claudio Puntin (born 1965 in Zug, Switzerland) is a clarinetist and composer who has been based in Berlin for decades. He trained first as a goldsmith before studying music in Cologne and Rotterdam, and was also shaped by working with conductor Sergiu Celibidache. Having performed in more than 80 countries alongside artists such as Carla Bley, Fred Frith, Steve Reich and Ricardo Villalobos, he is a recipient of the WDR Jazz Prize (2004) and the Golden Amadeus (1993), and holds a teaching post at the Berlin University of the Arts.
Puntin released the album PLANKTON, a collaboration with pianist Stefan Schultze, via his own label 1.61Records.
The Lamento Project, a chamber music project with Catherine Aglibut, Ulrike Becker and Christian Gerber, appeared in January 2023.
Puntin published QUANTUM, a solo album in which he combines clarinets, objects and electronics without the use of rhythmic sequencers.
Puntin's clarinet concerto Aroma was premiered by the Minnesota Orchestra under the direction of Osmo Vänskä, with Puntin himself as soloist.
Flautist Mark Lotz presents his album Freshta with a European quintet, blending classical polyphony and jazz.
Freshta is a European jazz ensemble of five soloists with strong credentials in the international jazz scene. Flutist Mark Lotz assembled the group for music dedicated to Afghan women's rights activist Freshta Kohistani, blending contemporary jazz, chamber music and world influences.