Mark Lotz

Mark Lotz is a German-Dutch flutist, composer, and improviser widely regarded as one of Europe's foremost voices on the instrument. Praised as "one of the world's top jazz flute players" (LA Jazz Scene Magazine), "one of the most outstanding virtuosos on the flute" (Concerto Magazine, Austria), and "a creative genius redefining the sonic palette of all flutes" (Lowflutes.com, Australia), he has spent three decades building a singular musical language at the intersection of jazz, contemporary music, and global traditions.

Raised in Thailand and Uganda, Lotz developed an early appetite for cross-cultural encounter that has shaped every aspect of his work. His music moves fluidly between free improvisation, cinematic jazz, and projects rooted in Afro-Cuban, West African, Turkish, and Indian musical traditions. Each new creation is driven by curiosity, imagination, and a refusal to repeat himself — qualities that have earned him a reputation as one of the most uncompromising voices in contemporary jazz. CultureJazz (France) called him "a musician who makes no compromises"; Jazz Da Gama (Canada) wrote that he is "forever at the service of his art, employing his genius to let the music glow in the dark." All About Jazz (USA) declared that "Mark Alban Lotz is bringing sexy back into jazz."

He has released 23 albums as a leader and appeared on over 70 recordings on American, German, French, Turkish, and Dutch labels, with sessions recorded across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. His collaborators include Chris Potter, Don Byron, Han Bennink, Ernst Reijseger, David Tronzo, and Istanbul's avant-garde ensemble Islak Köpek, among many others. His most recent release, Freshta (Berthold/Zennez Records), is dedicated to Afghan women's rights activist Freshta Kohistani.

Lotz maintains an intense international schedule as a soloist, bandleader, composer, producer. Alongside touring, he initiates festivals and concert series. In 2025 he founded his own label, Sonic Squid Music.

Milestones & Facts

• Early Years & Education
  Born into a musical family as the son of jazz researcher Dr. Rainer Lotz, Mark started playing the flute at the age of 17. He studied jazz and classical music at the School of Arts Amsterdam and took private lessons in the U.S. From 2008 to 2010, he studied Indian bansuri flute at Codarts.

• Collaborations with Artists Worldwide
  His projects have brought him together with exceptional artists, from Don Byron, Chris Potter, and Han Bennink to members of the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. His discography includes 23 albums released on labels in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, France, Switzerland, Poland, and the U.S.

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International Presence
Lotz has performed at festivals in over 20 countries, including Canada, the U.S., Cuba, Senegal, China, Japan, India, Poland, France, and Turkey.

Gear

Piccollo (Yamaha), C- (Muramatsu), Alto- (Muramatsu), Bass- (Kotato & Fukushima), Pvc Contra Bass flutes (Hogenhuis), Bansuris (Harsh Wardhan), wooden & silver head-joints by Christoph Mancke