WDR Big Band feat. Maceo Parker live at Leverkusener Jazztage 2011

Maceo Parker - alto saxophone, vocals
Christian McBride - bass
Cora Coleman-Dunham - drums
Michael Abene - Leitung und Arrangement
Johan Hörlén, Karolina Strassmayer, as
Olivier Peters, Paul Heller, ts
Jens Neufang, bs
Wim Both, Rob Bruynen, Andy Haderer, Klaus Osterloh, John Marshall, tp
Ludwig Nuss, Marshall Gilkes, Christophe Schweitzer, tb
Mattis Cederberg, b-tb
Frank Chastenier, p, keys
Paul Shigihara, g

recorded live at Forum, Leverkusen, November 2011

1. Come On , Maceo
2. Inner City Blues (Marvin Gaye)
Soloists: Maceo Parker, as; John Marshall, tp
3. Kissing My Love (Bill Withers)
Soloists: Paul Shigihara, g; Maceo Parker, as
4. Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder)
Soloists: Maceo Parker, as; Marshall Gilkes, tb
5. Do Your Thing (Isaac Hayes)
Soloists: Paul Shigihara, g; Maceo Parker, as
6. Rock Steady (Kenneth Edmonds, Bo Watson, Antonio Reid, Dwayne Ladd)
Soloists: Maceo Parker, as; Frank Chastenier, org
7. One In A Million (Larry Graham)
Soloists: Maceo Parker, as
8. I Wish (Stevie Wonder)
Soloists: Maceo Parker, as; Cora Coleman-Dunham, dr
9. Papa´s Got A Brand New Bag
Soloists: Paul Heller, ts; Maceo Parker, as
10. Come By And See (Maceo Parker)
Soloists: Karolina Strassmayer, as
11. Soul Power (James Brown)

On Roots and Grooves, legendary James Brown sideman Maceo Parker delivers a double-disc album that focuses on the saxman's musical origins and most famous compositions. Side B is a funkier affair saluting Parker's time with Brown, George Clinton, and Bootsy Collins, with rearrangements of his originals including "Off the Hook," "Uptown Up," and "Pass the Peas." But it's his affectionate eight-song tribute to Charles augmented by the world-renowned WDR Big Band that brings to mind the late singer's award-winning big-band performances. Hammond B3 organist Frank Chastenier leads the charge for a stunning instrumental take on "Hallelujah I Love Her So," while Parker proves all too capable of handling Charles' trademark vocals on "You Don't Know Me" and "Hit the Road, Jack." While his take on "Georgia on My Mind" comes off like Muzak, Parker delivers a dynamite "What'd I Say" that would've made Brother Ray proud.

Four years after the concerts recorded for Roots and Grooves, Maceo and WDR Big Band rejoined for a soul party at the Leverkusen Forum.

John Scofield & WDR Big Band live in Köln 2011

John Scofield, gt

Michael Abene, cond, arr

WDR Big Band Köln:

Johan Hörlen, Karolina Strassmayer, Olivier Peters, Paul Heller, Jens Neufang: saxophones

Ludwig Nuss, Marshall Allan Gilkes, Hans-Jürgen Fink, Mattis Cederberg: trombones

Andy Haderer, John Marshall, Wim Both, Rob Bruynen, Klaus Osterloh: trumpets

Frank Chastenier, keys; John Goldsby, bass; Hans Dekker, drums

recorded live at Philharmonie, Köln, May 21, 2011

1. Let the Cat Out

Soloists: Karolina Strassmayer, as; Frank Chastenier, org; John Scofield, gt

2. Hive

Soloists: John Scofield, gt; Andy Haderer, tp

3. Chicken Dog

Soloists: John Scofield, gt; Marshall Gilkes, tb

4. Keep Me In Mind

Soloists: John Scofield, gt; John Marshall, tp

5. Introduction of the band by Michael Abene

6. Go Blow

Soloists: Johan Hörlen, as; John Scofield, gt

7. The Guiness Spot

Soloists: John Scofield, gt; John Goldsby, b

8. Still Warm

Soloists: John Scofield, gt;  Paul Heller, ts; Hans Dekker, dr

9. Easy For You

Soloists: John Scofield, gt; Paul Heller, ts;

10. Sin And Misery

Soloists: John Scofield, gt; Frank Chastenier, p; Johan Hörlen, as

11. Pigs And Pans

Soloists: John Scofield, gt; Ludwig Nuss, tb; Hans Dekker, dr

Even before it went steeply uphill for John Scofield in 1982, he was in great demand as a guitarist, whether with Charles Mingus or Gary Burton. Then Miles Davis took him into his band, and Scofield recorded for him his to the present day distinctive sound in legendary fusion records such as Decoy. Today we can no longer imagine the pool of the five worldwide most influential jazz guitarists without Scofield and his characteristic creaking single notes. It is an honor for the WDR Big Band that Scofield himself is coming to lend his most famous pieces orchestral pulse and groove. Bandleader Michael Abene contributed the new arrangements. 

Last year another great arranger (Vince Mendoza) with another fine big band (Metropole Orkest) released a record featuring John Scofield, entitled 54.

WDR Big Band Köln feat. Manfred Schoof: 75th Birthday Concert

Lica Cecato – voc
Manfred Schoof – tp, ld
Bodek Janke, perc
Markus Lüppertz – p
 
recorded live at Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, WDR Funkhaus Köln, February 27, 2011


1. Suggestion (Manfred Schoof)
2. Blue Friday (Kenny Dorham)
3. Copacabana (Lica Cecato)
4. 5+4 (Manfred Schoof)
5. Source (Manfred Schoof)
6. Forms And Feelings (Manfred Schoof)
7. Fire Waltz (Mal Waldron)
8. But Not For Me (George Gershwin)
9. Maresias (Lica Cecato)
10. Zazueira (Ben)
11. Two Bass Hit (John Lewis/ John Birks Gillespie)
12. Hornsalut (Manfred Schoof)

Manfred Schoof grew up perfecting his innovative jazz style, often practicing on either his jazz trumpet or his flügelhorn. By the time he reached high school, Schoof was composing his own arrangements. In 1955, Schoof decided to purse a musical career, enrolling in the Music Academy (Musikakademie) at Kassel. After studying and performing there for three years, he moved to further his studies at the Cologne Musikhochschule. While there, Schoof took a jazz class by Kurt Edelhagen, a West German bandleader who also had his own radio program. Schoof and Edelhagen established a musical connection, with the pupil contributing to the teacher's Radio Big Band radio show. At the same time, Schoof began touring with Gunter Hampel. In 1965, Schoof created a free jazz quintet with Gerd Dudek and Alex von Schlippenbach. It would be the foundation for another band he formed in 1969, the Manfred Schoof Orchestra. The group toured throughout Germany and Europe, featuring Evan Parker and Irène Schweizer, among others. In 1969, he joined the George Russell Orchestra and stayed with the band until 1971. Throughout the next two decades, Schoof expanded his musical horizons, recording and performing with several groups, including Global Unity Orchestra and Jasper Van't Hof. He also began composing classical music pieces, often composing them for the Berlin Philharmonic.

 

Vince Mendoza & WDR Big Band feat. Grupo de Chano Dominguez: Flamenco Jazz - live in Cologne 2011

WDR Big Band Köln
Vince Mendoza, conductor, arrangements
Chano Domínguez, piano
Blas Córdoba, vocals
Israel Suárez, cajon, percussion
Daniel Navarro, dance

recorded live at Philharmonie, Köln, February 5, 2011

1. Martinete
Soloist: Blas Córdoba, voc
2. Mentidero
Soloists: Karolina Strassmayer, as; Ludwig Nuss, tb; Chano Dominguez, p
3. Soleando
Soloists: Daniel Navarro, dance; Karolina Strassmayer, fl; Chano Dominguez, p; Paul Heller, ts
4. Plaza De Mina
Soloists: Blas Córdoba, voc; Chano Dominguez, p
5. Introduction by Chano Dominguez
6. Tango Para Frederico Mompou
Soloists: Grupo de Chano Dominguez
7. Tunante
Soloists: Johan Hörlen, as; Marshall Gilkes, tb; John Marshall, tp; Hans Dekker, dr
8. Parque Genovés
Soloists: Paul Shigihara, gt; Paul Heller, ss; John Marshall, tp
9. Mantreria
Soloists: Grupo de Chano Dominguez
10. Introduction by Vince Mendoza
11. Otoño (Vince Mendoza)
Soloist: Paul Heller, ts
12. Havanera De La Almada
Soloists: John Goldsby, b; Johan Hörlen, as
13. Introduction of the band by Lucas Schmid
14. Rumbetango
Soloists: Daniel Navarro, dance; Chano Dominguez, p; John Marshall, tp; Marshall Gilkes, tb
15. El Aguacero
Soloist: Johan Hörlen, ss
16. Mas Que Swing
Soloists: Chano Dominguez, p; Paul Shigihara, gt; John Marshall, tp; Paul Heller, ts; Israel Suárez, perc; Daniel Navarro, dance

Chano Domínguez is one of the most celebrated jazz musicians "recruited" by flamenco. Although Chano had already learned flamenco –the first instrument he learned to play, by ear, was the guitar- he also ventured into rock with his keyboard. Before he descended fully onto the flamenco scene with his “Chano Domínguez Trío”, he had already worked with renowned artists such as Pepe de Lucía, Potito and Juan Manuel Cañizares. Chano Domínguez has achieved an unusual integration between rhythms and languages of jazz and flamenco. He plays tangos, tanguillos, alegrías, compás de bulerías, fandangos and soleás on his piano with a traditional jazz structure. Nowadays Chano Domínguez is one of the most demanded musicians on the entire Spanish music scene, in any musical genres. He has worked with an extensive range of artists including Enrique Morente, Estrella Morente, Martirio, Marta Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ana Belén, Jorge Pardo, Carles Benavent, Paco de Lucía, Joe Lovano, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette and Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Last year Chano Domínguez published an album for the collection “Jazz en España”(Jazz in Spain), for Radio Televisión Española (public Spanish television) and nowadays he is on tour presenting his last work for “Verve”, a brand new repertoire for a new band called “New Flamenco Sound”, which is receiving great remarks. 

Bill Evans & WDR Big Band Köln: New Stuff live at Stadtgarten Köln 2011

Bill Evans – ts, ss
Etienne Mbappe – b
Wolfgang Haffner – dr
Michael Abene - ld, arr
WDR Big Band Köln
recorded live February 16 and 17, 2011, Stadtgarten Köln

1. Bop Stop
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Andy Haderer, tp
2. Island Green
Soloists: Marshall Gilkes, tb; Wolfgang Haffner, dr; Bill Evans, ss
3. Cascade Waterfalls
Soloists: Bill Evans, ss
4. Workin’ The Line
Soloists: Frank Chastenier, p; Bill Evans, ts
5. The Silk Road
Soloists: Etienne Mbappe, b
6. The East End
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Johan Hörlen, as; Etienne Mbappe, b
7. Big Little Man
Soloists: Bill Evans, ss; Ludwig Nuss, tb
8. On The Fly
Soloists: Bill Evans, ss; John Marshall, tp; Frank Chastenier, fender rhodes
9. Introduction of the Band
10. TJ Follies
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Karolina Strassmayer, fl; Wolfgang Haffner, dr
11. Whalebone Stamp
Soloists: Bill Evans, Paul Heller, ts; Frank Chastenier, org

After the success of their first collaboration "Van´s Joint", saxophonist Bill Evans,  arranger Michael Abene and the WDR Big Band rejoined for another project, consequently called "New Stuff". Again a great combination of catchy Evans originals with complex but very much listenable Abene arrangemnts, played by a very tight and creative Big Band propelled by the great rhythm section of Etienne M´Bappe and Wolfgang Haffner.

WDR Big Band feat. Ernie Watts & Greg Gisbert: A Legend In Jazz: Charles Mingus

WDR Big Band
Michael Abene, arrangements, conductor
Ernie Watts, tenor saxophone
Greg Gisbert, trumpet
recorded live at Philharmonie Köln, December 4, 2010

1. Boogie Stop Shuffle
2. Peggy’s Blue Skylight
3. Self Portrait In Three Colours
4. Free Cell Block F
5. Orange Was The Colour Of Her Dress Then Blue Silk
6. Sue’s Changes
7. Slop
8. Pussy Cat Dues
9. Open Letter To Duke/Duke’s Choice

Michael Abene (pronounced uh-BAY-NAY) is an intuitive and unusually imaginative composer, arranger, keyboardist and producer whose work has resulted in scores of awards and accolades, including several Grammy nominations for arranging. His music also resulted in Grammy wins for The Duke Ellington Orchestra's Digital Duke, The GRP All-Star Big Band's All Blues and, most recently, Patti Austin's Avant Gershwin. Today - beyond his never ending freelance work - Mr. Abene is the Musical Director-Principal Arranger/Composer for the WDR Radio Big Band of Cologne, Germany - a position he's held since 2003. “Working with the WDR Big Band has been a collaborative effort with gifted musicians and supportive management,” Michael states. The group has recorded with stellar guest artists ranging from funk master Maceo Parker and saxophone virtuoso Joe Lovano to flamboyant fusion guitarist Hiram Bullock and vibraphone great Gary Burton. 

Leading the WDR Radio Big Band, Abene has a workshop at his fingertips and spends six months out of the year overseas rehearsing, recording and performing with it. “When I took the position,” he shares, “one of the complaints the band had was whenever they played behind a guest, they never got to solo. I don't believe in that! I make sure all the strongest soloists get to play...and I don't mean 8 bars. I came up in that time where Basie and Maynard really let a band open up. That way, everyone relaxes and takes the music wherever they want.” Asked what distinguishes his work, Abene isn't certain but says people tell him it's his voicings, tonal colors, the combinations of instruments, rhythmic nuances and unexpected surprises in the chart. “I'm not afraid to turn things inside out,” he adds. “I take chances. If it doesn't work... I just fix it!” 

WDR Big Band feat. Gabriel Pérez: Milonga

Gabriel Pérez, soprano saxophone
WDR Big Band
WDR Studioproduction, December 2009

1. Alta Paz (Quique Sinesi)
2. El patio del tiempo (Marcio Doctor)
3. Sara (Sergio Aranda)
4. La muerte del angel (Astor Piazolla)
5. Sutuy (Gabriel Pérez)
6. Turquesa (Gabriel Pérez)
7. Milonga del angel (Astor Piazolla)
8. Pan Con Pan (Gabriel Pérez)
 

Gabriel Pérez, born in 1964 in Córdoba, is a musician who creates new elements of Argentinean music by combining them with more traditional styles of his homeland to develop a unique sound.

Raised in Argentine, Gabriel received a broad musical education with rural roots. He was under contract with the Córdoba Symphonic Wind Orchestra, was a member of the saxophone quartet Scaramouche, recorded with nationally well-known musicians and planned early on to focus on composition. Subsequently, he moved to Germany and took private classes with Dietmar Mensinger and studied jazz saxophone under Frank Gratkowski, as well as composition / arrangement under Frank Reinshagen at the prestigious Cologne University of Music.

In 2008 saxophonist, composer and arranger Gabriel Pérez received the prestigious WDR Jazz Award  for composition. One year later he was comissioned by the WDR Big Band to arrange and write some music for a studio recording entitled "Milonga".  Milonga is the name for both the archetypical  Tango music and a  kind of subtype of Tango music. Once again Pérez shows his ability to combine the expressive power of Jazz, the elegance of the dance music of his South American home and the expressive language of European classical music of the late 19th century.
He has recorded a series of albums entitled "Música Argentina Vol. 1-3".

WDR Big Band feat. Kurt Elling live in Köln 2010

 

Kurt Elling, voc
WDR Big Band Köln:
Johan Hörlen, Karolina Strassmayer: as; Olivier Peters, Paul Heller: ts; Jens Neufang, bs
Andy Haderer, Rob Bruynen, Klaus Osterloh, Wim Both, John Marshall: tp
Ludwig Nuss, Marshall Gilkes, Bernt Laukamp: tb, Mattis Cederberg: b-tb
John Goldsby, b; Paul Shigihara, git; Frank Chastenier, p; Hans Dekker, dr
Conducted and arranged by Michael Abene

recorded live at Philharmonic Hall, Cologne/ Germany, June 26, 2010

1. Soft Lights And Sweet Music (Irving Berlin)
Soloists: Paul Heller, ts; John Marshall, tp; Hans Dekker, dr
2. Steppin´Out (Joe Jackson)
Soloists: Paul Heller, ts; Hans Dekker, dr
3. You Are Too Beautiful (Richard Rodgers/ Lorenz Hart)
Soloist: Ludwig Nuss, tb
4. All Points West (Kurt Elling/ Laurence Hobgood)
Soloists: Paul Heller, ts
5. Nighttown (Don Grolnick/Lyrics: Kurt Elling)
Soloists: Karolina Strassmayer, as
6. Effendi (McCoy Tyner / Lyrics: Kurt Elling)
Soloists: Frank Chastenier, p; Kurt Elling; John Marshall, tp; Johan Hörlen, as
7. Stella By Starlight (Victor Young)
Soloist: Johan Hörlen, as
8. Dream Clock (Joe Zawinul/Lyrics: Kurt Elling)
Soloist: Paul Shigihara, git
9. Face On The Barroom Floor (Wayne Shorter/Lyrics: Kurt Elling)
Soloist: Frank Chastenier, p
10. I Like The Sunrise (Duke Ellington/ Lyrics: Kurt Elling)
Soloist: Andy Haderer, tp
11. Introduction of the Band
12. Tumbleweed (Michael Brecker/ Lyrics: Kurt Elling)
Soloist: Marshall Gilkes, tb; Frank Chastenier, p; Paul Shigihara, git;
13. All The Way (Sammy Cahn/Jimmy Van Heusen)
Soloist: John Marshall, tp

On June 23rd last year, Grammy nominated and critically acclaimed modern Jazz vocalist Kurt Elling released "Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman", his eighth album and second release on Concord Jazz.
The live collection was recorded in January 2009 at the Allen Room in the Lincoln Center, New York as part of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. The new 12-track release features an all-star cast of musicians including saxophonist Ernie Watts, the Laurence Hobgood Trio and string quartet.

"Dedicated to You" is a stunning spectrum of music, both vocal and instrumental. The album opens with an introductory interpretation of the American Songbook classic, “All or Nothing At All,” in which the interconnectedness between Elling’s vocal and Watt’s tenor saxophone calls up immediate references to the Coltrane/Hartman source. The transformative interpretations of songs such as “Autumn Serenade,” “Nancy With The Laughing Face” and “You Are Too Beautiful” are definitive examples of how to remain true to the inner essence of a song.

WDR Big Band feat. Bill Evans & Dave Weckl live at 30th Leverkusener Jazztage 2009

Bill Evans, Soprano and Tenor Saxophones
Dave Weckl, Drums
Mark Egan, E-Bass
WDR Big Band Köln
Michael Abene, conductor and arranger

recorded live at Forum/ Leverkusen during 30th Leverkusener Jazztage November 2009

1. Small Town Jack
Soloists: Paul Shigihara, gt, Bill Evans, ss
2. Soulbop
Soloists: Ludwig Nuss, tb, Bill Evans, ss
3. Let´s Pretend
Soloists: Frank Chastenier, p; Bill Evans, ss
4. Van´s Joint
Soloists: Heiner Wiberny, as; Frank Chastenier, hammond B3; Bill Evans, ts
5. Sweet Tea
Soloists: Paul Heller, ts; Dave Weckl, dr; Bill Evans, ss
6. Soulgrass
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Paul Shigihara, gt; Dave Weckl, dr
7. Introduction of the band by Michael Abene
8. Rattletrap
Soloists: Mark Egan, b; Bill Evans, ts; Paul Heller, ts; Olivier Peters, EWI; Paul Shigihara, gt; Dave Weckl, dr

Throughout his celebrated career, Bill Evans has explored a wide range of musical idioms, from straight ahead jazz to hip-hop, fusion, funk, soul, pop and bluegrass.
But on Vans Joint, he treads into some exciting new territory for the first time.
This triumphant collaboration between the veteran saxophonist-composer-bandleader and the 20-piece WDR Big Band Cologne is a match made in heaven. Recorded live in concert in Germany, this powerhouse offering features Evans with the dream rhythm tandem of electric bassist Mark Egan and drummer extraordinaire Dave Weckl fueling the well-oiled machine that is the WDR Big Band, under the direction of conductor-arranger Michael Abene. The results are exhilarating and even surprising to the saxophonist himself. “For me, to hear my charts with a big band just blew my mind,” says Evans. “Michael did such as great job. It was magical the way he enriched the songs, how he created colors and new harmonies in different sections and just took the music one step further. So it was a real trip to be involved in this project, and a lot of fun too.” Together they released the live album "Van´s Joint" on BHM Music in February 2009.

Mike Stern & WDR Big Band Köln: Mike Stern Selection live 2009

Photo © by George Lange

Mike Stern – g

Tom Kenney – b
Dave Weckl – dr
Michael Abene – ld
WDR Big Band Köln

recorded live at Zeche Zollverein Essen, September 11, 2009

1. Tumble Home
2. KT
3. Wishing Well
4. What Might Have Been
5. Introduction of the Band by Michael Abene
6. Tipatina’s
7. Next Week
8. Avenue B
9. Wing and Prayer
10. Chromazone
11. Upside Downside

In a career that spans three decades and a discography that includes more than a dozen eclectic and innovative recordings, five-time Grammy nominee Mike Stern has established himself as one of the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarists and composers of his generation.
In this concert he is featured together with his long time rhythm section consisted of bassist Tom Kennedy and Dave Weckl on drums in a big band setting by the great WDR Big Band in a programme of all Stern originals arranged by Michael Abene.
Don´t miss Mike´s latest Grammy nominated album "Big Neighbourhood" released on HeadsUp in 2009.

WDR Big Band & Mel Lewis: A Tribute To Thad Jones - Live in Leipzig November 1989

WDR Big Band
Jerry van Rooyen - cond
Dennis Mackrel - drums
Mel Lewis - drums (tracks 8 - 10)

recorded live at "Haus der leichten Muse", Leipzig, November 22, 1989

1. Don't Get Sassy
2. Introduction by Jerry van Rooyen
3. Little Pumpkin
4. To You
5. Three In One
6. A Child Is Born
7. Don´t Get Around Much Anymore (Ellington)
8. Introduction by Mel Lewis
9. Little Pixie

In the 1980´s the WDR Big Band Cologne played regularly with drummer legend Mel Lewis, who called this orchestra "my second band" or "my German band". Two weeks after the iron curtain had fallen, Mel Lewis - who was yet quite ill at that time and died just two months later in NYC - and the WDR Big Band did their last concert together in Leipzig (at this time still GDR).

WDR Big Band featuring Cecile Verny: "Celebrating Billie Holiday"live at Jazzfestival Viersen 2009

Michael Abene - Conductor, Arrangements
Cecile Verny - Vocals
Heiner Wiberny, Matthias Erlewein, Olivier Peters, Paul Heller, Jens Neufang - Reeds
John Marshall, Wim Both, Andy Haderer, Rob Bruynen, Klaus Osterloh - Trumpets
Ludwig Nuss, Uli Plettendorff, Bernt Laukamp, Mattis Cederberg - Trombones
Paul Shigihara - Guitar; Frank Chastenier - Piano, Rhodes
John Goldsby - Bass; Hans Dekker - Drums

1. Lover Man
2. Them There Eyes
3. You Don´t Know What Love Is
4. What a Little Moonlight Can Do
5. You´ve Changed
6. Please Don´t Talk About Me
7. Fine And Mellow
8. I Cried For You

recorded live at Festhalle Viersen, September 18, 2009

Steffen Schorn & WDR Big Band live at WDR Jazz Cologne 2009

Steffen Schorn - Conductor, Arrangements
Heiner Wiberny, Karolina Strassmayer, Olivier Peters, Paul Heller, Jens Neufang - Reeds
John Marshall, Wim Both, Andy Haderer, Rob Bruynen, Klaus Osterloh - Trumpets
Ludwig Nuss, Uli Plettendorff, Bernt Laukamp, Mattis Cederberg - Trombones
Paul Shigihara - Guitar; Frank Chastenier - Piano
John Goldsby - Bass; Hans Dekker - Drums
Special Guests: Lars Andreas Haug, Tuba; Bodek Janke, Percussion

1. Celso (Hermeto Pascoal)
2. One Year Later (Steffen Schorn)
3. Wo kommt denn des her? (Steffen Schorn)
4. The Opener (Steffen Schorn)

recorded live at WDR Funkhaus Köln, Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, October 31, 2009

Composer, Conductor and Professor of Jazz Saxophone Steffen Schorn received the WDR Jazz Award 2009 for composition.
This is the highest honor awarded for improvised music in Germany. The concert with the WDR Big Band arranged and conducted by Steffen Schorn took place October 30 in Cologne.
Together with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band (hr-Big Band) he recorded "Tudo E Som - All is sound - The Music of Hermeto Pascoal" released this year

Charlie Mariano Quartet with WDR Big Band: A Jazz Life - live at Philharmonie Köln 1988

Charlie Mariano – as

Mike Herting – keyb
Paul Shigihara – g
Freddie Santiago – perc
WDR Big Band
Kölner Rundfunkorchester
Michael Gibbs - cond
recorded live at Philharmonie Cologne/ Germany, September 1,1988


1. Vesti la giuppa (Giuseppe Verdi)

2. Al Hadji (Mike Herting)
3. Introduction
4. Pink Lady (Charlie Mariano)
5. Out of the blue (Michael Gibbs)
6. Asian Flat (Shigihara/Herting)
7. Barcarole (Mike Herting)
8. Prelude II (George Gershwin)
9. 4th sun (Mike Herting)
10. Song (Paul Shigihara)
11. Randy (Charlie Mariano)

Some of those tunes were recorded originally for the LP "Mariano", released by Intuition

Bob Mintzer & WDR Big Band: The Way I Feel - live at Stadtgarten Köln 1990

Bob Mintzer – sax

Phil Markowitz – p

Lincoln Goines – b
John Riley – dr
WDR BIG BAND KÖLN

recorded live at Stadtgarten Köln, Cologne/Germany, January 27, 1990

1. Mr. Funk
2. Happy Song
3. Introduction To The Ring
4. The Ring
5. Introduction To Paul’s Call
6. Paul’s Call
7. Lunatic
8. Introduction To The Way I Feel
9. The Way I Feel
10. Like A Child

Bob Mintzer released a whole bunch of big band recordings in the 80´s and 90´s on DMP, a.o. "Urban Contours":

WDR Big Band feat Joe Zawinul Celebrating the Music of Weather Report

The WDR Big Band
Vince Mendoza, conductor, arranger
Joe Zawinul, keyboards (on Db Waltz)
Scott Kinsey, keyboards
Victor Bailey, bass
Peter Erskine, drums
Alex Acuña, percussion

recorded live at Leverkusener Jazztage, November 6, 2002

Tracklist:
1. Fast City
2. Night Passage
3. Carnavalito
4. Badia/ Boogie Woogie Waltz
5. Db Waltz

This very special event was the beginning of Zawinul´s collaboration with the WDR Big Band that lead to the great album "Brown Street".