Hans Koller
Saxophonist
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Koller, who also made his mark as a jazz composer, played with Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Konitz, Zoot Sims and Stan Kenton during his career.
After being drafted into the German Wehrmacht in 1941, Koller was captured by the U.S. army. He set up a band as a prisoner of war -- and its popularity was so great that he was among the last to be released, the Austria Press Agency reported.
In 1958, Koller played with Benny Goodman and his band at the World Exhibition in Brussels.
At the first all-European jazz festival in 1960, in Antibes, France, Koller was honored as best soloist.
Koller was the first European jazz musician to receive five stars from the U.S. music magazine Downbeat, its highest distinction.
