Percussionist and composer, Jolly Kunjappu was born in Madras, India. He moved to Europe in the ‘70s and is now a German citizen.
He studied management and marketing and operates an Indian restaurant in Munich. He has composed ballet music for the Bavarian State Opera and other prestigious opera houses, played as a guest musician for the Rolling Stones and excels as a painter. Among other things, he created a mural at the East Side Gallery in Berlin.
In 1982, Kunjappu recorded a debut solo album, I Love Dancing. The next year he polished up his composer’s hat and completed a ballet for the Bavarian National Opera called “Bound to the Rhythm.” That same year, he also composed “Dance to the Drums,” this time working for Stadttheater Essen. Year by year, Kunjappu’s name gained more respect in the music world. For 1986, he gathered the help of artists Wolfgang Lackerschmid, Larry Coryell, and Rick Keller to put tracks like “Loving a Goddess,” “Latin Wind,” and “Searching for Shangrila” on a sophomore album titled Warm Embrace. It was followed three years later by It’s Magic, and then by From Here Forever.Kunjappu’s next album, Power of Silence, was his first stride into the world music genre. He enlisted over two dozen musicians to back him on this album. After years of work, tunes such as “Drums of Death,” “Welcome to the Universe,” and “Secret Fragrance” were showcased in this offering of world music filled with rock, rhythm, reggae, and funk. Touching the Spirit was his next album and his first compilation. In between working on his recordings, Kunjappu tours country to country, he also practices two other arts: painting and acting. ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide.
Jolly’s success as a keynote speaker is based on his experience of life. The way he courageously took steps in his life is an example of how to create and define one’s life which others can learn from. He calls himself a guy without a profession but with many passions. In short, he is a full-blooded performance artist.
As a performance artist, business coach and , he has inspired the management and employees of BMW, Geberit, BASF, Swisscom, PWC.