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This extraordinary big band is one of the very few still playing on a regular basis in and around Berlin. The program is a good mix of contemporary big band music and modern classics from composers like Pat Metheny, Yellowjackets, Bob Brookmeyer and the like. The band was founded in 2001 by drummer Benjamin Strauss, who has spent six years in the USA to study music. Inspired by the "Monday Night Big Bands" in New York City, the BERLIN BIG BAND is also an arranger's forum for newly written music. There are two invitations for international Jazz Festivals so far this year. The BBB joins the best soloists from the booming Capital's Jazz Scene with members of the show- and theater-orchestras of the city and the "Babelsberger Filmorchester" (Movie Orchestra of the UFA-Studios) to an all-star big band, similar to the Village Vanguard Orchestra in NYC. "When
putting together the musicians, I simply asked the best ones.
And, although our music calls for very demanding ensemble-work,
pure fun and individuality are very important", says founder
and leader Benjamin Strauss. These different colours are musicians
like first trumpet player Greg Bowen (GB), trombonist Jason Liebert
from Canada or first altist Dietrich Koch from the Hanns-Eisler-Hochschule.
A new colour and just fresh in the band is french horn player
Arturo Medoza from Mexico. "Odd
meters, popy and nicely arrangend themes and feather-like Latin
and Rockjazz compositions do it: this young big band will bring
new things to town without a doubt. ... the capital has a new
talent-workshop." DIE WELT, Germany |
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