„Sebastian Gramss’ BASSMASSE…
An awesome sonic encounter!!!“ (Downbeat, USA)

„A masterful bass player!“
(Cadence Magazine, New York)

Sebastian Gramss (Cologne, Germany) is a German composer of contemporary music and jazz and a double bass virtuoso. In 2026 he was nominated for the German Jazz Prize (composition). In 2022 he won 2 German Jazz Prizes (Radio Production / Special Jury Prize) and was nominated for 3 others (Instrumental Album / Vocal Album / Bass). In 2018 and 2013 he received the ECHO award (national instrumentalist of the year). He studied composition and double bass at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and at the Cologne University of Music.

Gramss released more than 40 CDs under his name. He’s been an inspiring and innovative presence in the world of contemporary music especially with his development of Helix concept as well as his works for the ensemble States Of Play, his collaboration with Ensemble Modern and his works for various string formations.

Gramss has composed for radio drama, movies and theatre and – among others – for choreographer Pina Bausch.

He has also made a great contribution to contemporary jazz with his ensembles UNDERKARL, SLOWFOX (with Hayden Chisholm & Philip Zoubek) and FOSSILE 3 (with Rudi Mahall & Etienne Nillesen / Thomas Sauerborn).

His bass activities include his solo works (Atopie), a long term bass duo series (started with Stefano Scodanibbio in 2008, and continued with Barre Phillips, Tetsu Saitoh, Mark Dresser, Barry Guy, William Parker and Joëlle Lénadre in over 50 concerts + recordings), several quartets and the international double bass orchestra BASSMASSE with 13 (and up to 50) bass players.

He teaches at the Cologne University of Music and University of Osnabrück, he is a guest lecturer at several other Conservatories and gives master classes around the world. Extensive touring with his music has led him to venues and festivals all over the world, including Japan, India, Latin America, Russia, USA, Africa, and Australia. He was the co-creator and the curator/ director of SAMUR (South Asian Music Residency) in India in 2016 and 2017.