On the death of Manfred Hering (born June 3, 1939 in Burgstädt; died November 29, 2025 in Wurzen)

He was one of the central figures of the GDR jazz scene, his playing recognizable among thousands. Now the great saxophonist Manfred Hering has died.

His long-time companion Joe Sachse described him as one of the "best musical friends I ever had." Together, they played in numerous formations over decades and had a decisive influence on the international recognition of the free jazz scene in the GDR. Their joint opening concert at the first edition of the Leipzig Jazz Days in 1976 remains legendary to this day. He remained closely associated with the festival throughout his life.

Hering, who lived in Wurzen near Leipzig, remained musically active until the end. Many people fondly remember his joint performance with Sachse and Heiner Reinhardt at the Störenfriede Festival in the German National Library in September 2024. A performance with the Manfred Schulze Wind Quintet was also planned for January 2026. But it was not to be.

To mark his passing, LeipJAZZig e.V. is organizing a memorial concert for Manfred Hering with many of his companions. This is a great opportunity to say goodbye to the gifted improviser, to whom the German jazz scene owes so much:

February 1, 2026, 6:00 p.m. I LeipJAZZig memorial concert for Manfred Hering • Theaterhaus Schille 

Obituary by Joe Sachse for Manred Hering:

On the death of Manfred Hering (born June 3, 1939 in Burgstädt; died November 29, 2025 in Wurzen)

We mourn the loss of Manfred Hering, a wonderful musician who had been closely associated withJazzkeller TreptowandJazzkeller 69 e.V.since their inception and who could be admired in numerous concerts with us. He was one of the veterans of "jazz in the GDR."
A concert with him in theManfred Schulze Wind Quintetwas in preparation for next January.
Joe Sachse wrote a short obituary:

Manfred Heringwas one of the best musical friends I ever had. Without him, I might not have become a professional musician. 
He showed up one evening and played with us amateurs in the Günter Dietze Combo and recommended me to his colleagues in the Gerhard Stein Band—later Praxis 2. 
Manfred was good at sight-reading, had a sharp analytical mind, and was a skilled and original improviser. 

I learned a great deal from him. We got along very well and played in a duo, in a quintet (until Wolfram Dix's death), in a quartet (until Helmut Forsthoff's passing), and most recently in a trio with Heiner Reinhardt.

Manfred had a wonderful sense of humor. Some of the jokes he told could easily have been about him. 
The writer Rainer Klis immortalized him in his book "Wer redet stirbt" (Whoever speaks dies).
Dear Manfred, dear friend: take care. 
~ Joe Sachse