Florian Dauner
Flo Dauner was born on January 3, 1971, in Stuttgart and grew up in a musical household. His father is pianist and composer Wolfgang Dauner, one of the pioneers and trailblazers of European jazz. At the age of five, Flo discovered his passion for drums after having already started playing the piano. He had his first public concert at just nine years old, and his first record recording followed shortly thereafter at the age of 15 (The United Jazz and Rock Ensemble “Round7” on Mood Records, 1986).
At 18, Flo moved from Stuttgart to Berlin, where he worked as a live and studio drummer. Two years later (1991/92), he went to Boston, USA, to study drums and composition at the renowned Berklee College of Music. In 1993, Flo returned to Germany and became the drummer for Die Fantastischen Vier, with whom he has now played over 1,000 concerts. In 2000, they became the first German band to record a legendary MTV Unplugged concert (see discography). This concert was groundbreaking on multiple levels and made history in German-language music.
In 2012, Die Fantastischen Vier became the first band ever invited by MTV to produce a second Unplugged concert. This was also recorded in the Balver Höhle and was released in October 2012. Flo Dauner’s continuous work with national and international music greats has made him one of the most renowned and sought-after drummers far beyond the German-speaking world.
Since 1993, Flo has been the drummer for Die Fantastischen Vier. With millions of records sold domestically and internationally, the band has been one of the most successful German-language acts for over 30 years. In addition, since 2006, Flo has been playing regularly with superstar DJ Paul van Dyk, who has been named the world’s best DJ multiple times, performing at numerous concerts in the USA (including multiple shows in Central Park, New York, as well as in Miami and Los Angeles), Europe, and Asia
Since the first season in 2011, he has been the drummer for the highly successful TV format The Voice of Germany (winner of the German Television Award in 2012 & 2018, Golden Camera in 2012, etc.). Over the years, the award-winning drummer has collaborated with more than 200 artists, played on over 100 albums and numerous DVDs, and performed concerts worldwide.
In addition to Die Fantastischen Vier, Paul van Dyk, and The Voice of Germany, his collaborations include renowned artists such as Sarah Brightman (Harem World Tour 2004), De Phazz (2002–2006), Joss Stone (2021/22), Seal, Hefner, Thomas D, Schiller (Musical Director of the “Zeitreise Live” Tour and CD/DVD 2016), Rea Garvey, Till Brönner, Nena, Xavier Naidoo, Badesalz, Joy Denalane, HR Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Järvi, Chamber Orchestra Stuttgart, James Morrison, Nelly Furtado, John Watts (Fischer-Z), Deutschland sucht den Superstar (2006–2010), Doug Wimbish, Charlie Mariano, Albert Mangelsdorff, Ack van Rooyen, The United Jazz and Rock Ensemble, Sammy Figueroa, his father Wolfgang Dauner, and many more.
Beyond his extensive and cross-genre work as a drummer, composer, arranger, and producer in countless projects and formations, Flo has always been passionate about passing on his knowledge and experience to young musicians and drummers, supporting the next generation. Since the age of 16 (1987), he has been teaching private students and has been actively involved for many years as an instructor in workshops, drum clinics, and masterclasses both in Germany and internationally.