Crossroads- a new international perspective on Dutch Jazz, stretching the boundaries of contemporary big band music. The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw is extending it's limits in more ways than one. The band developed it's identity in the late 1990s with the bi-weekly concerts at the Amsterdam Bimhuis. Since then it has literally conquered the world, not only touring all over Europe but also playing in Latin America, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan and China. Musically, too, the band is evolving all the time. The starting point was the classic 1950s idiom, but from the beginning, the orchestra was challenged by guest soloists and composers from a wide range of jazz styles. With the album Crossroads the Jazz Orchestra takes another step forward. Conducted by Dennis Mackrel and Rob Horsting (who has been arranging for the group since the beginning), the orchestra presents nine compositions by various band members, Martijn van Iterson, Joris Roelofs, Ilja Reijngoud, Simon Rigter and Jorg Kaaij, and Rob Horsting. The arrangements were written by Dennis Mackrel, Rob Horsting, Henk Meutgeert, and three international guest arrangers: Michael Abene and Ed Partyka (USA) and Vellu Halkosalmi (Finland). This album is a breakthrough. Along with their future-oriented American colleagues of the Maria Schneider and Darcy James Argue orchestras, with this album the Jazz Orchestra marks a new century in the development of the jazz big band.

Crossroads- a new international perspective on Dutch Jazz, stretching the boundaries of contemporary big band music. The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw is extending it's limits in more ways than one. The band developed it's identity in the late 1990s with the bi-weekly concerts at the Amsterdam Bimhuis. Since then it has literally conquered the world, not only touring all over Europe but also playing in Latin America, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan and China. Musically, too, the band is evolving all the time. The starting point was the classic 1950s idiom, but from the beginning, the orchestra was challenged by guest soloists and composers from a wide range of jazz styles. With the album Crossroads the Jazz Orchestra takes another step forward. Conducted by Dennis Mackrel and Rob Horsting (who has been arranging for the group since the beginning), the orchestra presents nine compositions by various band members, Martijn van Iterson, Joris Roelofs, Ilja Reijngoud, Simon Rigter and Jorg Kaaij, and Rob Horsting. The arrangements were written by Dennis Mackrel, Rob Horsting, Henk Meutgeert, and three international guest arrangers: Michael Abene and Ed Partyka (USA) and Vellu Halkosalmi (Finland). This album is a breakthrough. Along with their future-oriented American colleagues of the Maria Schneider and Darcy James Argue orchestras, with this album the Jazz Orchestra marks a new century in the development of the jazz big band.

The Jazz Orchestra of the Concert-gebouw, the JOC, is used to working with famous soloists originating from different directions in the industry. These soloists bring their own repertoire, that is arranged, prepped and performed in no time. In 2010, on a Thursday night in February, a unique concert took place in the Amsterdamse Bimhuis. Together with a living legend, Dr. Lonnie Smith, the group played a stunning concert. For the Sultan of the Hammond organ, a long-cherished desire to play with a big band was fulfilled. Most noticeable on Smith at this performance was his auditory memory and the lucid, varied sounds he managed to wrest his impressive B3. JOC knows how to expertly blend with Smith's timbre and his shouts. The orchestra can glow with sovereign intensity, sparkle and fire, but manages to also add to the expression that can be produced by the Hammond organ. This is an true tribute to soul jazz.

Jim McNeely: The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (JOC) is one of the world’s great jazz ensembles. I’ve known some of these musicians since the late ‘90’s. But I’d never worked with the whole JOC until January 2020. Then Juan Martinez, JOC artistic director (and baritone saxophonist), emailed me. He proposed that I write a CD’s worth of music for the band, featuring all their soloists. After many more months of Zoom rehearsals (ugh!), scheduling delays, and even more Zoom (ugh!) we got into the studio in Hilversum for three intense days last November.

“The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (JOC) is one of the world’s great jazz ensembles. I’ve known some of these musicians since the late ‘90’s.But I’d never worked with the whole JOC until January 2020. Then Juan Martinez, JOC artistic director (and baritone saxophonist), emailed me. He proposed that I write an album’s worth of music for the band, featuring all their soloists. After many more months of Zoom rehearsals (ugh!), scheduling delays, and even more Zoom (ugh!) we got into the studio in Hilversum for three intense days last November.” (Jim McNeely)

REVIEWS:

For friends of good big band music, the cooperation of the JOC with Jim McNeely is a must!

-- Jazz'n More

A most enjoyable way to revisit the big band tradition.

-- Jazz'halo

Morris Kiphuis, hornist, jazz composer and improviser of JOC, says: The biggest lesson I learnt in New York is that I am European, and jazz is an American music style - originally the way for an oppressed black minority to express their right to freedom. It gives a unique character and energy to the music. But I'm just a boy from Hilversum."" With this statement Kliphuis offers a peek into the inner world of the new generation of Dutch jazz and improvised musicians as a whole, and that of the millennials more in particular. They are the jazz influencers of today. Recorded in two days for a live audience, this recording method enhances the here-and-now experience of the music.