European-Bigband-Series: Brookmeyer Celebration Suite

«When Bob & Jim Went to Europe»

With “When Bob & Jim Went to Europe”, the Zurich Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to two outstanding composers who have had a lasting influence on the development of modern European big band jazz: Bob Brookmeyer and Jim McNeely.

In the years following the Second World War, a remarkable transformation began to take place across Europe. Under bandleaders such as Kurt Edelhagen and Erwin Lehn, traditional radio and dance orchestras gradually evolved into modern jazz big bands. A significant milestone came in 1980, when the WDR Dance Orchestra officially became the WDR Big Band. This new artistic direction placed greater emphasis on sophisticated jazz compositions, innovative arrangements and collaborations with internationally renowned musicians.

Bob Brookmeyer and Jim McNeely became key figures in this development. Their compositions opened up new musical horizons for European jazz orchestras and set new standards for contemporary big band writing.

A similar transformation took place in Switzerland. In the late 1970s, the Swiss Radio Entertainment Orchestra became the DRS Big Band. Although the ensemble was disbanded in 1986, its musical legacy lives on through professional ensembles such as the Swiss Jazz Orchestra and the Zurich Jazz Orchestra.

The concert programme brings together selected compositions written by Brookmeyer and McNeely for European jazz orchestras and institutions, including the WDR Big Band, the Danish Radio Big Band, the HR Big Band and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. The programme also showcases the outstanding soloists of the Zurich Jazz Orchestra.

A particular highlight is Bob Brookmeyer’s “Celebration Suite”. Commissioned in 1994 for the legendary baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, the work received its world premiere at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Brookmeyer later recorded the suite with his New Art Orchestra. At Moods, Nils Fischer will take on the solo part.

For artistic director Ed Partyka, this composition holds a deeply personal significance: “I performed as bass trombonist at the 1994 premiere with Gerry Mulligan and on the subsequent recording. This suite is particularly close to my heart and represents an important part of my musical life.”

“When Bob & Jim Went to Europe” brings an important chapter of European jazz history to life, demonstrating just how inspiring and relevant this music remains today.