Very loosely related in selected affinity to the late Austrian saxophonist and artist Hans Koller, this younger version has played football with clubs such as TSV Oberlauringen and Dynamo Kebab, has studied ethnomusicology at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and also jazz composition with Mike Gibbs and Bob Brookmeyer.
Over the past decade Hans Koller has played and worked with Steve Lacy, Evan Parker, Phil Woods, Harry Becket, Kenny Wheeler, Bill Frisell, Steve Swallow, Jeff Williams, the BBC Big Band, the NDR Big Band, and the WDR Big Band.
He has recorded three big band albums, NEW MEMORIES, LONDON EAR, and SCENIC ROUTES as well as small group work, including a trio with Paul Clarvis and Mark Hodgson playing German lullabies, entitled MOND & STERNLEIN and a trio with Dave Whitford and Gene Calderazzo playing music by Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols and Charlie Mingus.
Hans Koller is part of the Jazz Department at Birmingham Conservatoire where he teaches composition, arranging, repertoire and jazz history.