Michael Naura (19 August 1934 - 13 February 2017) was a German jazz pianist , editor and publicist . Born in Memel , Lithuania, Michael Naura grew up in Berlin and studied journalism, philosophy and sociology at the Freie Universität Berlin . He then worked as a pianist in swing jazz bands. From 1953 to 1964 he directed one of the most successful jazz bands in Germany, the Michael Naura Quintet. The music of this eclectic quintet was originally heavily influenced by George Shearing, then by Dave Brubeck and later by the hard bop of Horace Silver, but also by the chamber jazz of the Modern Jazz Quartet. The most important improviser in Naura's quintet was the vibraphonist Wolfgang Schlüter. Other musicians included the alto saxophonists Klaus Marmulla and Peter Reinke, the bassists Hajo Lange and Wolfgang Luschert, and the drummers Heinz von Moisy and Joe Nay . In 1964, Naura had to go to the sanatorium Wintermoor for a year due to polyserositis. Probably caused by the daily work in the then heavily used jazz cellars (from 9 pm to 4 am, six days a week). Prominent German jazz musicians gave charity concerts to pay the necessary funds for the treatment. After his release, Naura retired from active musician life and worked as a journalist. After the death of Hans Gertberg he became a jazz editor at the Norddeutschen Rundfunk. Under his direction the station developed "the broadest and most interesting jazz program in Europe". He retired in 1999. Naura was also a well-known j

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