Background
Born in the city of Marburg into a family of academics (his father was a professor of theology and temporarily rector of the University of Marburg), Niebergall enrolled in medical school.
Born in the city of Marburg into a family of academics (his father was a professor of theology and temporarily rector of the University of Marburg), Niebergall enrolled in medical school.
His given name was Hans-Helmut, and late in life, his friends called him Johannes. Playing acoustic guitar, he got in contact with other musicians and quit his studies. Gunter Hampels quintet "Heartplants" and "Voices" by the Manfred Schoof quintet are two excellent examples of this independent European free jazz development.
During the early 1970s he played in Albert Mangelsdorff"s various quartets and quintets.
After 1980 he chose a life in isolation in Frankfurt a.M., with the exception of occasional stints within a "Jazz und Lyrik" project