DR Big Band


The Danish Radio Big Band, often referred to as the Radioens Big Band is a radio ensemble and big band founded in Copenhagen in 1964 at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation.
WWW Official Site

Band history

Originally called the New Radio Dance Orchestra, in the early years the band was led by Ib Glindemann. But over the next few decades many new faces joined, such as Chris Potter, Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely, and guest soloists like Miles Davis, Stan Getz, and Joe Henderson.
Founded as the New Radio Dance Orchestra in 1964 by bandleader Ib Glindemann, the DR Big Band was initially an outgrowth of the then-Danish Broadcasting Corporation Danmarks Radio's desire to represent jazz in the country and over the airwaves. Since 2009, the band has been based out of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation's Copenhagen complex DR Byen, or "DR City," along with several other nationally funded arts ensembles.
As a recording outfit, the DR Big Band debuted in 1970 with Brownsville Trolley, which featured the band led by saxophonist/composer Ray Pitts and trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg. However, the band's output increased throughout the decade under the leadership of famed trumpeter Thad Jones, who had relocated to Copenhagen. During this period, they delivered such well-regarded albums as 1978's By Jones, I think we've got it, and 1979's A good time was had by all. There were also numerous live performances during the band's first three decades, including dates with such luminaries as Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Freddie Hubbard, and many more.
More albums followed in the '90s and found the band starting to showcase artists like saxophonist and guest conductor Ernie Wilkins and Danish saxophonist Jesper Thilo. They also released albums paying homage to the music of Jones and Duke Ellington. This trend of showcasing an artist and their work continued over the next decade as the band played with such luminaries as Thomas Clausen, Toots Thielemans, Renee Rosnes, Eivor Palsdottir, Jim McNeely, and others.
In 2009, they paired with longtime Wynton Marsalis drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts for Impaler, followed a year later by Chromazone with guitarist Mike Stern. Similarly, trumpeter Randy Brecker was the focus of 2011's The Jazz Ballad Song Book. Also that year, lauded saxophonist Chris Potter joined the group for Transatlantic. More albums followed, including works with Richard Bona, Vincent Nilsson, and the band's own trumpeter Gerard Presencer. Vocalist Curtis Stigers collaborated with the ensemble for his 2017 Frank Sinatra salute One More for the Road. That same year, they delivered the live album Charlie Watts Meets the Danish Radio Big Band, which showcased a 2010 performance with the iconic Rolling Stones drummer.

Band

Members
Trumpet:
  • Dave Vreuls
  • Ari Bragi Karason
  • Thomas Kjærgaard
  • Mads La Cour
  • Gidon Nunes Vaz
Trombone:
  • Peter Dahlgren
  • Petter Hängsel
  • Annette Saxe
  • Gustaf Wiklund
  • Jakob Munck Mortensen
Saxophone:
  • Peter Fuglsang
  • Nicolai Schultz
  • Hans Ulrik
  • Karl-Martin Almqvist
  • Anders Gårdmand
Rhythm group:
  • Søren Frost
  • Kaspar Vadsholt
  • Henrik Gunde
  • Per Gade

Former members

Saxophone:
Trumpet:
Trombone:
Bass:
Drums:
  • Bjarne Rostvold
  • Lennart Gruvstedt

Chief conductors

Discography

As leader/co-leader

Brownsville Trolley Line – rec. 1969. conducted by Ray Pitts and Palle Mikkelborg.By Jones, I think we've got it – recorded live at Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen. conducted by Thad Jones.A good time was had by all – recorded live at Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen in 1978. conducted by Thad Jones.Crackdown: First U.K. Tour – recorded live at Glasgow and York in 1987Nordjazz Big 5 – conducted by Ole Koch HansenSuite for Jazz Band with guest conductor Ernie Wilkins – rec. 1991Ambiance with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – rec. 1993A Little Bit of Duke featuring Jesper Thilo – rec. 1994. compositions of Duke Ellington.Danish Radio Big Band Plays Thad Jones – rec. 1994. compositions of Thad Jones.This Train Ways of Seeing – rec. 1997Nice Work with Jim McNeely – rec. 1998The Power and the Glory: A salute to Louis Armstrong with Jim McNeely featuring Leroy Jones – compositions of Louis ArmstrongRenee Rosnes and the Danish Radio Big Band with Renee Rosnes – rec. 2001. conducted by Jim McNeely.Lady Be Good with Etta Cameron – rec. 2003. conducted by Nikolaj Bentzon.Cuban Flavour Trøllabundin with Eivør Pálsdóttir – rec. 2004–05. conducted by Jesper Riis.Dansk Stereo Dedication Suite with Jim McNeely – rec. 2002The James Bond Classics featuring Szhirley Jazz Divas of Scandinavia with Caecilie Norby, Silje Nergaard, Rigmor Gustafsson Cirkus Summarum Merry Christmas, Baby with Sinne Eeg, Bobo Moreno Impressions of a West Side Story The Music of Jacob Gade – compositions of Jacob GadeThe Impaler featuring Jeff "Tain" Watts – rec. 2009The Phoenix with Vince Mendoza Cirkus Summarum 2010 Chromazone featuring Mike Stern Play Bill Evans with Jim McNeely – compositions of Bill Evans. rec. 2000.The Danish Radio Jazz Group With Bent Jædig – 1964 - 1966 Spirituals – conducted by Vincent NilssonJazzin' Around Christmas – conducted by Dennis MackrelAt the Heart of a Selkie with Eivør, Peter Jensen – also with the Danish National Vocal Ensemble

As guest