barcelona jazz orchestra
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The Barcelona Jazz Orchestra is the first permanent Jazz Big Band ensemble in the City of Barcelona. It was born in the autumn of 1996 at the Taller de Musics of Barcelona (one of the City’s Music Schools), with the purpose of making Jazz music accessible to all audiences.
The BJO mixes tradition and innovation, and is also committed to modernity and the newest tendencies, mixing the classic repertoire - Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Dizzy Gillespie - with the work of contemporary composers and arrangers.
The orchestra features some of the most renowned musicians in the city (as well as from other parts of the world), like pianist Ignasi Terraza, saxophonists Víctor de Diego and Xavi Figuerola or the Parisian drummer Jean Pierre Derouard.
The ensemble’s musical direction is held by trombonist Dani Alonso, who leads the project with energy and vitality, keeping up with the job started by the band’s founder and former director, Oriol Bordas.
Throughout its 10 years of existence, the BJO has performed at numerous concert halls and Jazz festivals in Spain and France. They have also been touring with some well-known Jazz stars and they have recorded a CD with saxophonist Jesse Davis.
Since 1997 they have been cooperating with the Fundacio La Caixa (the biggest savings bank in the Country) in the teaching sessions held at the Palau de la Música Catalana (the City’s classic concert hall). Currently they play on a regular basis at the Sala Apolo club, where they can be enjoyed by listeners and dancers alike.
The BJO is at the present moment getting ready to record its second CD and they are also preparing tours with American guests like Brad Lealei, Nicholas Payton, Jesse Davis and Lou Donaldson.
Line-up
Trumpets:
Alberto Pérez
Dennis Hernández
Roqui Albero
Juan de Diego
Ivó Oller
Trombones:
Dani Alonso
Jordi Giménez
Víctor Correa
Sergi Vergès
Saxophones:
Victor de Diego: alto sax, soprano sax and flute
Juli Aymí: alto sax and clarinet
Pep Pascual: tenor sax, clarinet, flute and others
Xavier Figuerola: tenor sax, clarinet and flute
Joan Chamorro: baritone sax, bass sax, clarinet and bass clarinet
Rhythm section:
Piano: Ignasi Terraza
Bass: Manel Alvarez
Drums: Jean-Pierre Derouard
Vocalist:
Susana Sheiman.