BuJazzO

BujazzO – 35 Years – Bundesjazzorchester (2024)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 54:36 minutes | 1,05 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Double Moon Records

The BuJazzO premiere took place in January 1988. The first record release was in the same year. 35 years… “35 Years”: This new album in an impressive series seems like a cornucopia of ideas and stylistic ingredients. But it can hardly be more than a kind of opulent foretaste of what BuJazzO currently is.

Among the various BuJazzO albums with a clear thematic focus, “35 Years – Bundesjazzorchester” is one that brings together various aspects of the orchestra’s recent activities. It contains excerpts from a good five years (2018-2023), i.e. from the work of three BuJazzO generations. In addition to the two artistic directors Niels Klein and Ansgar Striepens, who work together in a proven and reliable dual leadership, the orchestra worked with guests such as Randy Brecker, Django Bates, Nikki Illes and Michael Gibbs during this phase. External conductors are an integral part of the concept, which is open to many ideas.

Surprisingly, however, this latest production does not give the impression of a colorful documentary. This is also due to the consistently coherent sound character; the same sound engineer is responsible for all orchestral projects. However, it also indicates that the BuJazzO, despite the volatility of the line-ups, the diversity of activities and manuscripts, actually retains something of its own sound. Moreover, in times like these, one sometimes longs for an orchestra that unites such a wide range of stylistic elements, forms and colors.

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