Zurich Jazz Orchestra featuring Theo Bleckmann (voc)
«Shades of Standards»
Familiar melodies, well-known lyrics – and suddenly everything sounds completely different. With “Shades of Standards”, the Zurich Jazz Orchestra and internationally acclaimed vocalist Theo Bleckmann present a programme that casts beloved jazz and pop standards in an entirely new light. Together with Ed Partyka, Bleckmann explores the surprising complexity of these songs, inviting audiences to discover fresh perspectives on seemingly familiar music.
Many jazz standards tell stories whose deeper meanings only emerge when we listen more closely. Beneath memorable melodies often lie unexpected emotional nuances, subtle observations and layers of meaning. Through intriguing harmonies, unusual musical colours and sophisticated arrangements, Theo Bleckmann and Ed Partyka bring these hidden dimensions to the forefront, transforming familiar songs into fascinating musical discoveries.
Theo Bleckmann is one of the most distinctive and versatile voices in contemporary jazz. Born in Germany, he has lived in New York since 1989 and also teaches at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). His musical career has taken him far beyond the boundaries of jazz. He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Meredith Monk, Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass and John Zorn, received multiple Grammy nominations and been honoured with the ECHO Jazz Award.
His extraordinary voice and adventurous spirit allow him to approach a remarkable variety of musical styles with a distinctive artistic vision. Whether interpreting jazz classics, compositions by Charles Ives or songs by Kate Bush, Bleckmann has a unique ability to transform familiar musical material with sensitivity, subtle humour and unexpected creative ideas.
He and Ed Partyka share a long-standing artistic partnership. As early as 2007, the two collaborated on a programme featuring songs by Georg Kreisler. Since then, they have continued working together on various musical projects. “Shades of Standards” offers a new opportunity to deepen this creative connection and explore fresh possibilities for musical expression.
Alongside the vocal performances, the programme features imaginative instrumental arrangements of well-known jazz classics. These provide the outstanding soloists of the Zurich Jazz Orchestra with ample space for individual interpretation and musical exploration.
“Shades of Standards” promises a richly varied concert experience, moving between the familiar and the unexpected, filled with sophisticated musical textures, poetic moments and exciting discoveries. A programme that reveals just how much there is still to explore, even in the most familiar melodies.
