Over het album

"Eternal youth” is lived reality in the Bundesjazzorchester (Federal Youth Jazz Orchestra), nicknamed BuJazzO. The members are between 17 and 24 years old, and every two years there is a change of generation – and this has been the case for more than 35 years. As a result, more and more biographies of ambitious, talented German jazz musicians with renowned abilities have become hallmarks of BuJazzO membership. You might ask whether the jazz events in Germany, rich in great jazz musicians, would be the same today had not the founder and long-term director Peter Herbolzheimer ensured at the time with emphatic commitment and with heart and soul that this project, which was supported by many, was made possible?

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 acts like a cornucopia of ideas and stylistic ingredients. But it can hardly be more than a kind of opulent teaser for all that BuJazzO currently is.

Among the various BuJazzO albums with a clear thematic focus, "35 Years – Bundesjazzorchester" is one of those that bundles various aspects of recent orchestral activities. Excerpts are included from a good five years (2018-2023), i.e., the work of three BuJazzO generations. In addition to the two artistic directors Niels Klein and Ansgar Striepens, who collaborate in proven and reliable dual leadership, the orchestra worked in this phase with guests such as Randy Brecker, Django Bates, Nikki Illes and Michael Gibbs. External conductors are a set aspect of the concept that is open to many ideas.

Amazingly, however, this latest production does not give the impression of a motley documentation. This is also thanks to the consistently coherent sound character; the same sound engineer is responsible for all orchestral projects. But it also suggests that BuJazzO actually maintains somewhat of its own sound despite all the volatility of the casts, the variety of activities and manuscripts. In addition, in times like these, you sometimes yearn for an orchestra that combines such a wide range of stylistic elements, shapes and colors.

According to the official credo behind this premium institution of current German jazz, BuJazzO is located at the interface between university education and professionalism. It is intended to prepare students for careers as professional musicians. The number of applications has steadily increased to this day. In fact, the orchestra has long since become a success story. This is essentially thanks to the fact that the scope of musical ambitions has been increasingly expanded. The orchestra’s image has benefited from this as a result. The BuJazzO program reflects classic and – stronger than ever – current trends of high-end big band art. It is no coincidence that the new album begins with a specially composed piece by the acclaimed Japanese master arranger Miho Hazama.

Among the most recent special projects that are at least touched upon in the album repertoire were the programs "# 2021JLID – 1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany" and "100 Years of Bauhaus". Oded Lev-Ari's piece "Die Barcarole" and Hazama's "Im Filmatelier" were composed for silent films. Some things are now also documented in pictures and can be seen on YouTube. Incidentally, the current BuJazzO line-up – also a special project – will perform concerts at various venues in Germany between mid-June and mid-July as part of the European Soccer Championship. This keeps the orchestra, as they say, always on the ball ... Which, figuratively speaking, really fits this versatile orchestra.
"35 Years – Bundesjazzorchester" underlines the topicality and relevance of BuJazzO in the best possible way.