Manfred Selchow

Since 1986 Selchow has organized and accompanied 33 jazz tours in Germany and Switzerland. Selchow had the opportunity to meet many of the great legends, like Wild Bill Davison, Yank Lawson, Ralph Sutton, Jack Lesberg, Norris Turney, Oliver Jackson, Nat Pierce, Peanuts Hucko and Bob Haggart many of whom became friends of his. Selchow continues to promote and host concerts near his home in North West Germany. Many of the best musicians from around the world including Australia, UK, Italy, Austria, France, Finland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Japan and Germany have performed together in 50 concerts so far.

In 1958, Selchow began studying at the University of Braunschweig, to become a teacher as well. In 1961 he began working as a teacher and retired being a principal in 1995. Selchow is married and has four married children. He has five grandchildren and as of 2019 four great grandchildren.

Many of the great bands came through as well: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman. Lionel Hampton did come several times and became a favorite of young Selchow. In 1955 Louis Armstrong came to the "Berlin Sportpalast", bringing along one of Manfred Selchow's "heroes" — Edmond Hall. Selchow remembers: "I had heard him before on records, but seeing him there, that was something else! A love was born." Berlin saw them all, all the greats - Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Red Norvo, Benny Goodman, and many more.

His father, a school teacher, did not return from the war. In 1945, his mother and two siblings, fled from the Red Army and ended up in Berlin, where he went to school and spent his entire youth. During his school days, he started playing the violin and piano becoming good enough to earn a free three year scholarship to the Berlin Conservatory. During that time, he "lost interest" in practicing the violin and concentrated on the piano, trying to play Jazz. Not an easy task, playing "by ear", without any money to buy written arrangements or sheet music. Selchow's playing was good enough for a student band but, having listened to the piano 'Greats', he soon realised that he would never reach their level. While others continued to perform, he stopped playing in public.

Manfred Selchow (born October 2, 1936 in Varbelow, East Pomerania, Germany) is a jazz authority and author.