Rudi Berger"s debut album "First Step" was first released on vinyl in 1985. The 31 year old record, now newly relaunched as CD and download, is a landmark in the world of jazz violin and has not lost his fresh appeal and originality. Recognized for his unparalleled jazz violin approach and rare talent as a songwriter Rudi Berger has regularly toured throughout Europe, South America, Japan and the USA since 1990. His formations have been represented at festivals alongside the groups of BRIAN AUGER, DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER, LES MC CANN, ORNETTE COLEMAN, HERBIE HANCOCK, MICHEL PETRUCCIANI, MARCUS ROBERTS, JOHN SCOFIELD, CEDAR WALTON, the TOKYO STRINGS QUARTETT and GIDON KREMER, among others. Before moving to New York in 1986 he released his debut album "First Step" was voted Violinist of the Year in 1985 & 1986 by the European magazine “Jazz Live” and made his first international appearance as a bandleader at "Jazz in Athens". In his New York time he performed and recorded with JAY ANDERSON, JEFFERSON BALLARD, VICTOR BAILEY, CYRO BAPTISTA, JOSEPH BOWIE’S DEFUNKT, JOE CALDERAZZO, MIKE CLARK, ARTT FRANK, MICHAEL GERBER, BILLY KILSON, PETER MADSEN, JAMES BLOOD ULMER and worked with ASTOR PIAZZOLLA at the American Music Theater Festival in 1989. Rudi was appointed Honorary Board Member of the Chet Baker Foundation in 2009. Since 2003 the Viennese Jazz Violinist & Contemporary Songwriter has lived in Brazil. As a guest soloist and studio musician he has made over 200 recordings, including award-winning soundtracks for animation, film and theatre.