Although born in Brooklyn, New York, Manfred was reared in Bamberg, Germany until the age of 7 when his family returned to the New York City area. At an early age he started to finger-pick the guitar, composing his first instrumental at the age of 16.

A few years later still he started to change the tuning of the instrument (by accident) and the wonderful world of alternate tunings opened up...thus beginning a life-long love affair with an eclectic blend of New Age influences, jazz voicings, Celtic themes, and traditional/ folk textures that create a sound that evokes echoes of a number of classic Windham Hill acoustic artists. Manfred plays comfortably in well over 20 tunings that provide a rich canvas to paint "sonic landscapes" of lush original compositions and traditional arrangements.

Since 1999 Manfred has worked full-time as a psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice serving adults and children. In addition to his musical pursuits, Manfred has been a professional actor, guest-starring on such TV shows as Seinfeld, 21-Jump Street, Reasonable Doubts, Growing Pains, Head on the Class, several After-School Specials, along with dozens of stage performances. He is the author of the book Becoming a Social Worker, Reflections of a Clinician's Transformative Journey, published in 2002 by White Hat Communications. His first album, The Hours, well received and continues to draw an audience.