In 2014 the Viennese Jazz violinist and contemporary songwriter Rudi Berger celebrates 40 years on the stage. To mark this special occasion, Rudi performs in a number of bands and set-ups, including his New York Quartet, Rudi Berger & the Three World Band and Duo and Trio, on a 40th anniversary tour across Europe, Japan, South America and the United States between April and November 2014.

Before moving to New York in 1986, Rudi had already created a stir within the European Jazz scene in his three-year stint as soloist of the newly-founded Vienna Art Orchestra. He released his debut album First Step and was voted “Violinist of the year” in 1985 & 86 by the European magazine Jazz Live. His groups have headlined festivals alongside Brian Auger, Richard Bona, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Les McCann, Herbie Hancock, Michel Petrucciani, Marcus Roberts, or Cedar Walton.

While living in New York for over a decade, Berger performed and recorded with the likes Victor Bailey, Joseph Bowie’s Defunkt, Phil Bowler, Joe Calderazzo, Mike Clark, Peter Madsen or James Blood Ulmer. One of Berger’s career highlights has been performing the music of Astor Piazzolla at the American Music Theatre Festival in 1989, under the supervision of the tango composer himself.

Between 1996 and 2003, Rudi Berger travelled extensively between New York, Europe and Brazil to discover more connections and ways of combining international musical styles, as well as for his post as guest professor of the University of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. As a well-established traveller between cultures, Rudi Berger made the move to Brazil in 2003.

His deep rooting in multiculturalism is evident in his multi-layered compositions and in his original style and technique. Several of his compositions have been recorded by performers and bands from Brazil, Austria, the U.S. and Venezuela. Rudi Berger’s career development has seen him achieve his unique standing and musical style in the world of Jazz violin and has resulted in him being considered one of the most original and trend-setting voices of his genre today.

The Music of the Three World Band consists mainly of Rudi Berger's compositions with some excursions into the world of jazz and interpretations of Brazilian music. Rudi Berger and the Three World Band won the “Nomainstream Music CD of the Year” award in 2011.