Wolfgang Ruß
studied accordion, piano and guitar at the HOHNER Conservatory (formerly: Städtische Musikschule) in Trossingen. Since 1975 he has worked as a music teacher, musician, composer, arranger, author and lecturer. Since the founding of the Music School Schönaich in 1984, Wolfgang Ruß has been head of the department for jazz/rock/pop. In 2000 he was appointed director of the music school. He headed this office until his retirement in the summer of 2020.
He lives with his wife, the pianist and publisher Gabriele Ruß in Schönaich near Stuttgart.
Wolfgang Ruß is one of the most frequently played composers and arrangers of the current accordion scene. For many of his compositions he has received awards at competitions. He also received several commissioned compositions from the German Harmonica Association (DHV) and other clients.
A wealth of arrangements of popular titles for accordion orchestra with rhythm section have been created so far. In addition to numerous individual pieces, the most important releases also include medleys by well-known greats from rock and pop. In addition to the orchestral compositions and arrangements, there are a number of pieces and volumes for accordion solo, duo and chamber music with accordion.
His preference for jazz and all forms of African-American music is reflected not only in his compositional work but also in his pedagogical work. He is a sought-after lecturer for workshops and training events throughout Germany and neighbouring countries.
From 1989 until his retirement, Wolfgang Ruß was a lecturer for methodology, didactics, teaching rehearsals, basic jazz, accordion and combo direction at the HOHNER Conservatory in Trossingen. As a long-time collaborator of Prof. Joe Viera at the 'Institute for Contemporary Music', he has been a lecturer at the jazz courses in Burghausen/Upper Bavaria for four decades.
From 1978 to 2013 Wolfgang Ruß was conductor and music teacher at the Accordion Association Schönaich (AVS). During this time, a number of radio recordings and sound recordings were made.
Since the end of the 80s he has been on tour with Hans-Günther Kölz with the American jazz accordionist Frank Marocco. In 1996 a first joint CD was produced under the title "made in Germany", in 2006 the second CD "Just Friends" was created.
Since 2000 he has been the musical director of "A-Train", the state accordion big band Hessen he has built. In 2009 this formation released their first CD with "Take the A-Train". Further CD productions will follow in 2012, 2015 and 2018.