about the jazz orchestra
TRANSCRIPT
For many years, the Jazz Orchestra of the
Concertgebouw has been considered to be one of the
most exciting big bands in Europe exhibiting unique
artistic quality of its own. The resulting national and
international recognition has led to a wide range of
performances, as far away as China, Japan, South
Africa, Indonesia and South America.
In the Netherlands, the Jazz Orchestra has been the
stable backbone of the jazz program at the Royal
Concertgebouw – the only concert hall in the world to
feature a jazz big band alongside a classical orchestra.
Breathtaking music is created under the inspiring
leadership of artistic director Juan Martinez, chief
conductor Dennis Mackrel, and conductor/arranger
Rob Horsting, supported by a line up of 17 outstanding
musicians.
Firmly rooted in the great American big band
tradition, the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw
has developed its very own songbook of original
compositions that accurately reflects the depth,
character and unique strengths of its individual
musicians much like the great signature orchestras of
the past, such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
And while the Orchestra is well grounded and very
comfortable with the swinging tradition of the past,
it has no stylistic limitations or prejudices and is
continually growing and evolving. In large part due to
its desire to “connect through jazz” with audiences
of all ages and backgrounds as well as its artistic
commitment to play music that is stimulating, open-
minded and focused on the here and now as well as
tomorrow and beyond.
In addition to performing in prestigious venues like
the Concertgebouw, it is equally comfortable playing
on the big stages of major festivals like the North Sea
Jazz Festival or the Java Jazz Festival as it is playing on
smaller settings where it can stretch the boundaries
of contemporary big band music in a more intimate
setting.
The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw with its
clear and characteristic sound is also well rooted in
Dutch society. In collaboration with both national and
local government agencies the Orchestra has been
enthusiastically connecting broad audiences through
jazz music. Cultural diversity, freedom, emancipation
and youth are core values.
Read more on www.jazzorchestra.nl and listen to our
soundcloud
ABOUT THE JAZZ ORCHESTRA
“ The best and most swinging big band of the Netherlands”
national newspaper
Algemeen Dagblad
Line up e up
Artistic manager: Juan Martinez
Managing director: Jan Bakker
Chief conductor: Dennis Mackrel
Conductor/arranger: Rob Horsting
Saxophones: Joris Roelofs (lead)
Jorg Kaaij
Simon Rigter
Sjoerd Dijkhuizen
Juan Martinez
Trumpets: Jelle Schouten (lead)
Wim Both
Ruud Breuls
Jan van Duikeren
Trombones: Jan Oosting (lead)
Ilja Reijngoud
Bert Boeren
Martin van den Berg
Rhythm section: Martijn van Iterson (guitar)
Hans Vroomans (piano)
Frans van Geest (double bass)
Martijn Vink (drums)
Marcel Serierse (drums)
Booking informationNetherlands: Ms Jennie Duif
Tel. +31 6 16542987
Outside Netherlands: Mr Danas Skramtai
Tel. +370 68756711
Music by Joris Roelofs, Martijn van Iterson, Ilja
Reijngoud, Simon Rigter, Rob Horsting and Jorg
Kaaij.
Arrangements by Michael Abene, Vellu Halkosalmi,
Rob Horsting, Dennis Mackrel, Henk Meutgeert
and Ed Partyka.
Crossroads – a new international perspective
on Dutch Jazz. Stretching the boundaries of
contemporary big band music. The Jazz Orchestra
of the Concertgebouw is extending its limits,
in more ways than one. The band developed
its identity in the late 1990s with the bi-weekly
concerts at the Amsterdam Bimhuis. Since then it
has literally conquered the world, not only touring
all over Europe but also playing in Latin America,
South Africa, Indonesia, Japan and China.
Musically, too, the band is evolving all the time.
The starting point was the classic 1950s idiom, but
from the beginning, the orchestra was challenged
by guest soloists and composers from a wide
range in jazz styles.
With the album Crossroads the Jazz Orchestra
takes another step forward. Conducted by
Dennis Mackrel and Rob Horsting (who has been
arranging for the group since the beginning), the
orchestra presents nine compositions by various
band members, Martijn van Iterson, Joris Roelofs,
Ilja Reijngoud, Simon Rigter and Jorg Kaaij, and
Rob Horsting. The arrangements were written by
Dennis Mackrel, Rob Horsting, Henk Meutgeert,
and three international guest arrangers:
Michael Abene and Ed Partyka (U.S.A.), and Vellu
Halkosalmi (Finland).
This CD is a breakthrough. Along with their
future-oriented American colleagues of the Maria
Schneider and Darcy James Argue orchestras,
with this CD the Jazz Orchestra marks a new
century in the development of the jazz big band.
Written by Bert Vuijsje
Written by Bert Vuijsje Jazz journalist and author of the
books Rita Reys: Lady Jazz (Thomas Rap, Amsterdam, 2004)
and Ado Broodboom trompet (In de Knipscheer, Haarlem,
2017).
The album Crossroads is released in June 2018
and is available through webshop:
https://jazzorchestra.nl/shop/
The international distribution and marketing:
Challenge Records International
www.challengerecords.nl
CROSSROADS
Joris Roelofs
Big band and Hammond B3 – a sensational
synthesis
From its inception, the Jazz Orchestra of
the Concertgebouw has had the great honor
of collaborating with some of the most
celebrated and inspirational soloists from
across the music spectrum.
One such collaboration is with NEA jazz
master and living legend, Dr. Lonnie Smith.
While he is sometimes referred to as cult
hero, the Sultan, devil and genius of the B3
Hammond organ, we simply and affectionately
call him: The Doctor.
During this particular collaboration, the good
doctor mentioned that to perform with a big
band was something he had dreamed of for
many years. This concert was the fulfillment of
that dream. It led to the album, “I Didn’t Know
What Time It Was”
This live recording took place at the Bimhuis
and it captures the essence of groovy jazz
and funk-jazz classics, as performed by Dr.
Lonnie Smith and the Jazz Orchestra of the
Concertgebouw.
It’s always a pleasure to perform this music as
it sweeps the audience off of its feet with hard
grooving soul and jazz, combined with a blues
and gospel feel.
I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS
The Jazz Orchestra and Doctor Lonnie Smith
The Jazz Orchestra has an extensive track record of collaborations with world class guest soloists.
Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw
Piet Heinkade 5
1019 BR Amsterdam - The Netherlands
T +31 (0)6 2901 5847
www.jazzorchestra.nl
Find us also on Facebook, Youtube,
Twitter and our soundcloud.
Photography:
Jelmer de Haas, Gemma Kessels
Design: Studiobas.com
