"Ein Quantensprung im großorchestralen Jazz" - thats how Jazzcritic Klaus Schulz summarized the performance of the jazz bigband graz together with composer / trombonist Bob Brookmeyer at the 2001 Salzburg Jazzfest.
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In it's seventh year of existence the jazz bigband graz under leadership of German saxophonist Heinrich von Kalnein and Austrian trumpeter Horst-Michael Schaffer is definitely one of the strongest and most unique voices on the European bigband map. The members of the band comprise of some of Austrians best musicians as well as players from Germany, Switzerland, Slovenija and the U.S.
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After well acclaimed CD's with former Vanguard Orchestra member/ trombonist Ed Neumeister and composer/ trombonist Bob Brookmeyer (on the German-based Mons label) they released "A Life Affair" in 2004 (Universal Music Austria), "Joys & Desires" (Intuition Records) in 2005 and "ELECTRIC POETRY & Lo-Fi Cookies" (Intuition Records) in 2008.
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Their musical vision spans contemporary orchestral sounds to up-to-date grooves and ambiences as well as highly complex rhythmical structures. Some of the most prolific writers of the Bigband genre wrote for the jazz bigband graz: Mike Abene, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck and Ed Neumeister among others.
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Next to their musical search on the edge of tomorrow the jazz bigband graz did and does perform with some of the best jazzsingers on the planet: Kurt Elling, The New York Voices, John Hendricks, Dianne Shuur and the vocal group Take 6 were featured soloists among others.
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Jazz Bigband Graz with Special Guests featuring
Kurt Elling
New York Voices
Take 6
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