Jazz Bigband Graz - Urban Folktales (2012)

There were times when big bands were a defining part of our society´s musical cultural scene. Today only a few jazz big bands exist, and it appears the reasons for this change are not artistic, but rather financial. In Germany public radio stations are responsible for the funding of big bands, and in France the Orchestre National de Jazz sets the standard. Meanwhile in Austria, one ensemble has shown above all others that orchestral concepts are far from exhausted: the JBBG - Jazz Bigband Graz. The six multi-layered pieces on Urban Folktales"" form a complex work of art that aims to set the benchmark in the international field of orchestral jazz in terms of conceptual clarity and stylistic variety. Sometimes meditative, sometimes swinging and sometimes grooving and rocking, the fusion of Western with Eastern harmonic traditions, influences from Austrian folk music, urban sounds, African music and some futuristic spherical sounds - as well as combining all of this in one place, JBBG gathers together some of the best Austrian, Swiss and German jazz musicians.

Tracklist:

1. Urban Tribes - Introduction
2. Seelenbaumeln
3. Space Trip - The Day We Landed
4. High Voltage
5. Rêve Africain
6. Coming Home

directed by
Heinrich von Kalnein - co-director, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute
Horst-Michael Schaffer - co-director, trumpet, flugelhorn

Guests:
Nguyên Lê - guitars & e-bow (1, 3 & 6)
Theo Bleckmann - vocals (2 & 3)
Gianluca Petrella - trombone (4)
Verneri Pohjola - trumpet (2)
Hadja Kouyaté - vocals (5)
&
Robert Friedl - alto saxophone (4)
Klaus Gessing - tenor saxophone (4)
Robert Bachner - trombone (4)
Philip Yaeger - bass trombone (4)
Johannes Enders - tenor saxophone (5)