The American jazz magazine downbeat described the WDR Big Band as "one of Europe's finest large jazz ensembles". This steadily growing international reputation of the WDR Big Band is a reflection, not least, of the multiple GRAMMY successes (including, among others, for the CD "Some Skunk Funk" with Randy & Michael Brecker as guest soloists) as well as the numerous GRAMMY nominations. In addition, the WDR Big Band celebrated another success when presented with the German Jazz Award for the CD production Roots & Grooves together with the saxophonist and singer Maceo Parker.
Like all the WDR's ensembles, the WDR Big Band is a cultural orchestra and cultural ambassador with the aim of presenting jazz and jazz-related music to the audience in North Rhine-Westphalia through its broadcasts and concerts. Developing and performing new programmes and concert formats in a broad stylistic spectrum, defines the orchestral profile of the WDR Big Band as a premiere and first performance orchestra. At the same time, the international big band has a connection to European tradition, especially to jazz made in Europe. This integrative factor is always part of the extremely complex programme concept. Offers for young listeners ("Jazz at School", "WDR @ Philharmonie" etc.) also have their firm places in the annual programme.
Each member of the WDR Big Band is a soloist with an unmistakable timbre, which provides the entire orchestra with its great sound appeal. Together with its chief conductor Bob Mintzer and internationally renowned guest conductors, composers, arrangers and guest soloists, the WDR Big Band is developing a broad program profile in concert projects. To realize its objectives, national and international guest arrangers and guest musicians are regularly invited.
Concerts in the broadcasting area of the WDR, but also engagements in Germany and abroad, increase the live presence and popularity of the orchestra. The program of the WDR Big Band covers the entire spectrum of jazz and jazz-related music from the traditional to the avant-garde. That also include Latin jazz, world music, fusion and cross-over - true to the motto: "Musical boundaries are musical challenges".
The more than 70-year history of the Big Band has its roots in the early years of the WDR entertainment and dance orchestra formations, whereby the jazz-specific reorientation of the orchestra as an independent big band began in the early 1980s under the Principal Conductor Jerry van Rooyen. In 2004, the American arranger Michael Abene took over the musical direction of the band, followed by the American Richard DeRosa (2014-2016). Since 2016, Bob Mintzer has been the chief conductor of the WDR Big Band and the arranger Vince Mendoza has been named as its Composer in Residence.
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