„A skilled navigator of contemporary European jazz sensibilities.“
London Jazz News

„Elements from other genres flow into the music without transitions, but don’t dilute the jazz in any way. Rather, they illuminate its modern essence in a new light.“
Jazz ‘n‘ more

„In his original, tasty instrumental compositions, the electric bassist born in 1979, underscores the tonal spectrum of his instrument.“
Jazzthing

Carsten Hein started making music in bands that performed original material at a young age, alongside singing in choirs and learning classical piano. He studied jazz and popular music with a focus on bass guitar and minor subjects upright bass and composition at the ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem, Netherlands. He then pursued a Master’s Degree in Arts and Media Management at Freie Universität Berlin.

Based in Berlin since 2004, he works as a freelance bassist in a wide range of different musical genres. Live or in the studio he worked with Neneh Cherry, Ivy Quainoo, Julia Marcell, Ladi6, Nosliw, Ari Benjamin Meyers, Angela Bulloch, Gene Pritsker, Kristiina Tuomi, The Ruffcats, Mellow Mark, Skew Siskin, Martin Jondo, Marcus Klossek and many more. Concerts and tours have taken him to many countries around the world.

Carsten is equally fascinated to take up traditional roles of the bass as well as using it combined with electronics as a source for sound explorations. As a stage musician and performer, he has been involved in works for Deutsches Theater Berlin, Schauspiel Frankfurt, Salzburger Festspiele, Theatertreffen der Berliner Festspiele, Grand Théâtre de Genève, MUDAM Luxembourg, Ballhaus Naunynstraße Berlin, Polly Maggoo Amsterdam and others.

As a soloist and band member Carsten has won prizes at Jugend Jazzt, the Young Jazz award Tübingen and the Nujazzprijs Dordrecht.