Performing under the name UFA Syncopators, Küspert & Kollegen is a chamber ensemble known for capturing the spirit of silent-era cinema—whether eerie horror, playful slapstick, or poignant melodrama. The group has toured internationally in various line-ups, including appearances organized by the Goethe-Institut, the European Union, and the German Federal Foreign Office.
Werner Küspert—composer and guitarist—is active in numerous jazz ensembles. His work spans theatre, studio, and concert performances, as well as music education. He composes for film and television productions and develops live musical programs.
The other members of the ensemble are:
Hubert Winter – saxophone, clarinet. A professor of jazz saxophone at the Würzburg University of Music, he has received numerous honors, including the Bavarian Art Prize.
Julian Fau – drums. He has won regional jazz competitions as well as the WDR Jazz Award for Young Musicians and the Neuer Deutscher Jazzpreis.
Mesju Grabisch – sousaphone, trombone. A freelance musician based in Hamburg, he is one of Germany’s few professional jazz sousaphonists.
Michael Flügel – piano. He has toured internationally as a pianist with Enrico Rava, Tim Hagans, Ack van Rooyen, Ingrid Jensen, and the HR Radio Big Band, among others.
The music for VARIETY was co-composed by Werner Küspert and Richard Siedhoff.
Since 2008, Richard Siedhoff has accompanied more than 400 silent film classics with his original compositions and improvisations on the piano. He is regarded as one of the most sought-after musicians in the field. In addition to numerous smaller performances, he is a regular guest at the International Silent Film Festival Bonn, Filmpodium Zurich, Babylon Berlin, and has made multiple appearances at the UFA Film Nights.