Season 2023/24
Welcome to the 2023/2024 concert season!
“The Art of Arranging” is a subject near and dear to my heart. I compose music, but I consider myself primarily an arranger. Composing has always been tedious, hard work for me. When I write new music, I often get through the composing part only by thinking of the reward: arranging.
I was fortunate to study with one of the best jazz composition teachers of all time, Bob Brookmeyer. I do my best to pass on his teaching methods, and I am very proud that the ZJO is presenting music by three of my former students this season.
Cinzia Catania is a wonderful Swiss composer and vocalist. Her music is extremely fresh and melodic. Walther K. Lang is also from Switzerland and is proof that it is never too late to pursue your passion. And we will continue our collaboration with Claudia Döffinger. Her concert in March was so enthusiastically received by orchestra and audience that a repeat performance simply had to be.
The same goes for Ola Onabulé: his concert last year was an absolute highlight, and we look forward to seeing this incredible singer and composer again. In November we celebrate the music of the cult funk band “Defunkt” with Joe Bowie. Joe and I have collaborated several times over the past decade, and his energy and stage presence are sure to get everyone on their feet: Make them dance!
With warm regards,
Ed Partyka
Musical Director
Dear audience
It never ceases to amaze me with whom Ed Partyka has already collaborated, how well he is networked internationally. Ideas for collaborations with classical orchestras? In 2021, he combined the Finnish UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and wrote part of the program himself. For the ZJO, the collaboration with Partyka is a multiple stroke of luck. He knows half the jazz world, and he proves to be a connoisseur of classical programs such as Duke Ellington or Count Basie, from which the orchestra in turn benefits; just listen to the ZJO podcast with Partyka about Duke Ellington.
Following the resignation of Silvio Cadotsch, Maurus Twerenbold was elected as a new member of the trombone section. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Silvio very much for his time in the orchestra! And we welcome Maurus, with him the orchestra is complete again. Finally, we would like to thank Bettina Uhlmann once again for all the work she does. Thanks to her foresight and negotiating skills, not only is the band able to continue to play, but we will soon be able to move into the new “Jazzhaus” – a real sensation for us! With Thomas Vogel, Christian Bretscher and Jakob Limacher, the board has grown by important ambassadors. We would also like to thank them for their work.
Now it remains for me to wish you much enjoyment at our concerts. See and hear you.
Cordially,
Your Daniel Schenker
Musical Co-Director
