Career
Born in Lübeck, he was the younger brother of portrait painter Sir Godfrey Kneller. In 1667, he became organist of the Marktkirche in Hanover, succeeding Melchior Schildt (1592-1667). In 1685, he moved to Hamburg, where he became organist of the Petrikirche.
Kneller was well respected as a musician, and often acted as an examiner of organs and organists.
He was part of the group that examined the candidates for organist at the Jacobikirche, Hamburg, in 1720, which included J.S. Bach (though he did not appear for an audition, he was still chosen for the post but had to decline).