Rainer Brüninghaus

Rainer Brüninghaus (born November 21, 1949) is a German jazz pianist and composer.

Born in Bad Pyrmont, Germany, Brüninghaus began in the jazz rock group Eiliff. In 1973 he joined the band of German jazz guitarist Volker Kriegel. In 1975 with bassist Eberhard Weber and Charlie Mariano he formed the ban Colours. Heinz Sauer hired him in 1978 as a pianist for his collaboration with George Adams and Archie Shepp at the Frankfurt Jazz Festival.

In the 1980's he worked on his own projects, including "Freigeweht" with Kenny Wheeler and "Shadows & Smiles" with Manfred Schoof.

Since 1988, Brüninghaus has frequently recorded and toured with the Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek as well as with Eberhard Weber and other artists on the ECM label.

Brüninghaus has also written music for symphony orchestra, Big bands and smaller ensembles as well as for film and television.