Record Reviews

WDR BIG BAND ~ BALKAN JAZZ BIGBAND 1003 (Barcode: 4250459910030) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2010 This is an album by the German WDR Big BandFind albums by this artist from Cologne, dedicated to Balkan Jazz motifs. The Big Band is conducted by American pianist / conductor / arranger Bill DobbinsFind albums by this artist. The main guest soloist is Romanian (resident in Germany) saxophonist / composer Nicolas SimionFind albums by this artist. Additional guest instrumentalists include Hungarian violinist Zoltan LantosFind albums by this artist, Italian accordionist Fausto BeccalossiFind albums by this artist, French drummer Benjamin HenocqFind albums by this artist and Croatian percussionist Kruno LevacichFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all original compositions by Simion, arranged by Dobbins. The WDR Big Band is one of several German Big Bands, such as the NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist (from Hamburg) or the HR Big BandFind albums by this artist (from Frankfurt), which function side by side with the regional state broadcasting corporations active in Germany, being decentralized by law and remaining as one of the last bastions of independent publicly sponsored cultural organizations, adding a tremendous input into European Jazz in particular and European Culture in general. The musicians employed by these Big Bands have ideal working conditions and are free from economic struggles, which take a heavy toll on most freelance musicians. Also many projects, like the one documented on this album, would have never happened in a purely unsponsored commercial environment and the existence of these bands is simply a cultural miracle. The music is a brilliant amalgam of the Orchestral / Big Band Jazz and Jazz-World Fusion idioms, which combines the best of the two worlds. Balkan music has been a huge influence on the European Jazz scene over time, and its quirky rhythm patterns and typical melodic melancholy can be found on many on quite a few albums, but a meeting with the Big Band environment is relatively rare, and this is a splendid opportunity to enjoy it to the max. Nicolas Simion is a prolific figure on the European Jazz scene, with an impressive recording legacy to his credit, which covers several sub-genres and offers many international joint projects. His Transylvanian roots are always strongly in his compositions and I am a big fan of his work, as much as his company as a Friend, which go perfectly with my Romanian secret ties ;) Overall, this is a truly delightful piece of music, which can be enjoyed by a wide audience of Jazz listeners. Of course Big Band lovers, especially those of the European Big Band variety, will be completely smitten by the virtuosity of the performances and the depth of the music found on this album.

Updated: 05/10/2024Posted: 05/10/2024

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