The Alkmaar Big Band celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and that of course requires special festivities. During the past year there were several performances with the theme “Jubilee Tour” on various stages in the province. The closing piece was Saturday 23 november with a joint concert of the Alkmaar Big Band with the Champagne Jazz Orchestra from Troyes with the title “Big Band Summit” in Theater de Vest.
Twenty years ago, in 2004, the Alkmaar Big Band had organized as an exchange Darmstädter Big Band. First, the orchestra from Darmstadt came to Alkmaar to participate in the first edition of Big Band Festival Alkmaar. During a return visit, the Alkmaar Big Band was received in Darmstadt.
This year it was the turn of the Champagne Jazz Orchestra from Troyes to come to Alkmaar for a joint anniversary concert.
Champagne Jazz Orchestra
The musicians of Champagne Jazz Orchestra gave a nice performance until the break with an ode to the famous French jazz pianist, composer and arranger Claude Bolling (1930 – 2020).
Alkmaar Big Band
After the break it was the turn of the jubilant Alkmaar Big band. A mix of instrumental and vocal pieces of music came along. As vocal guests, singer Jet Stam, orchestra member Jan Pereboom and, in collaboration with Artiance, the young talent from the Alkmaar region, Sam Renooij, gave the show. Because the vast majority of the jazz pieces come from America, The Alkmaar Big Band with singer Jet Stam presented a piece of music by Charles Trenet entirely in French for this occasion, namely “Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours” / “I Wish you Love”. This was highly appreciated by the French guests.
Grande Finale
The concert ended with a special “Grande Finale” of both orchestras under the direction of conductor Gerard Kleijn. Together the musicians played two pieces of Music: “Corner Pocket” in the performance of “The Count (Basie) Meets the Duke (Ellington)” and the specially composed and arranged “Big Band Dance Shuffle” by Sebastiaan Ohm.
The enthusiastic audience gave a standing ovation. After the concert, the audience and musicians went home satisfied.
The conclusion of this very successful weekend was a great "Big Band Summit" and an expected sequel....
Download the full report from this visit.
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