Emil Buchholtz

Bassist
Composer
Teacher

ABOUT

Emil Buchholtz, 2024
Born in Berlin in 1998, Emil Buchholtz discovered his passion for music early, beginning with violin and bass guitar before adding the double bass to his repertoire at age 13. He completed his bachelor's degree in music at Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne, Germany, in 2025 and now shares his time between Cologne and Berlin, where he leads bands, performs as a sideman, composes music, and teaches both double bass and bass guitar.

PROJECTS

The Big Why

Foto: Adrian Gallet

THE BIG WHY

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Unusual times demand unique new forms of expression. The Cologne-based Trio "The Big Why" doesn't cease to tickle our curiosity with their original style. With compositions by pianist Nicholas von der Nahmer (Munich) reflecting his travels in Japan and his studies in Boston as well as bassist Emil Buchholtz (Berlin), the trio is moored by the drummer Joshua Knauber (Bonn). Together they explore various styles in a fresh new soundscape.

Besondere Zeiten verlangen besondere Ausdrucksweisen. Das Kölner Trio „The Big Why“ kommt daher mit Originalität und Expression nicht zu kurz. Mit Stücken des Pianisten Nicholas von der Nahmer, inspiriert von seinen Reisen in Japan und Studium in Boston, wie auch des Bassisten Emil Buchholtz, verknüpft die Gruppe, zusammen mit Drummer Joshua Knauber, diverse Stilrichtungen zu einer neuen, erfrischenden Klangwelt.

We Miss Italy - Live at JATM 2022
Aberration - Live at JATM 2022
Freezin' in Buzen - Live at JATM 2022
Rediscovery - Live at JATM 2022

Nicholas von der Nahmer (piano)
Emil Buchholtz (bass)
Joshua Knauber (drums)

Emil Buchholtz Searching

SEARCHING

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With his quintet "Searching", bassist Emil Buchholtz creates a unique sound with an unusual lineup of instruments. Playing a mixture of his original compositions and free improvisations, "Searching" allows room for the creativity of all its members.

Mit der Band „Searching“ begibt sich Kontrabassist Emil Buchholtz in einer ungewöhnlichen Besetzung auf die Suche nach einem eigenen Klang, in dem sich seine Vorlieben für Streichinstrumente, kollektive freie Improvisation und Contemporary Jazz in teils fragmentartigen Kompositionen und Konzepten verbinden.

Emil Buchholtz (double bass, composition)
Tabea Hörsch (cello)
Ben Jones (alto sax)
Marius Lamm (drums)
Margarita Rumyantseva (violin)

20 feet under

20 FEET UNDER

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Album "20 feet under (a)live" released in July 2025

Emil Buchholtz (bass)
João Raineri (drums)
Dmitrii Shchukin (piano)
Tim von Malotki (reeds)

TEACHING

In my lessons, I aim to inspire my students to enjoy playing the instrument and making music. In addition to the technical aspects that are important for playing the instrument, I show my students different styles and playing techniques that the instrument offers. I am happy to cater to individual requests. If you like a song or piece by a band, I will gladly work with you to help you learn the corresponding bass line, for example. In addition to specific topics related to bass playing, I also enjoy teaching my students general musical understanding along musical parameters such as harmony and rhythm in order to expand their ability to create (compose/arrange/write bass lines) on their own.

45 min: 30€
60 min: 40€
90 min: 60€

Emil Buchholtz, 2025

CALENDAR

MEDIA

CONTACT

Emil Buchholtz
Filzengraben 21
50676 Köln

email: emil.buchholtz@gmx.de