Children, how time flies. It has ten years Jazz Rush Big Band already under our belt. The fact that she seems eternally young is probably due to her constant self-renewal. What began as a student house band in the small, not long-standing bar “Rausch & Söhne” gradually became more professional. Under the clever and busy bandleader and trombonist Roman Sladek and with Leonhard Kuhn as a gifted composer, swing, classical, hip-hop and soul were used early on, but above all – and this is still a big band unique selling point today: techno music. Music.
Became the world’s first “resident big band” in a techno club, the Harry Klein, conquered a young audience far beyond jazz with powerful, danceable programs like “Moebius Stream”, and was the first and only German large ensemble to play in the New York’s Lincoln Center and soon after at all major festivals. Continually thought up new projects, constellations and albums. Quite simply, they not only became a Munich institution, but also the busiest, most successful big band in the world, with over 100 performances per year. And this year the circle will close and the JRBB will once again be the house band: in the Bergson Cultural Power Plant, which will hopefully open soon.
Of course, the anniversary needs to be celebrated accordingly. “All year round, at every concert, and with a new album at the end of August,” as Sladek promises. But of course also with our own event. It will now take place on February 17, 2024 in the Small Olympic Hall with a “Surround Sound Super Rave”. Most recently, the Isarphilharmonie was almost completely filled for two Christmas concerts in one evening with the Munich Symphony Orchestra.
The same thing is now in the task book again, as the Small Olympic Hall has a capacity of 3,600 spectators. As usual, they came up with all kinds of ideas for this. As usual, Leon Kuhn wrote new material for it in record time, in addition to previewing the upcoming album. And the otherwise bare hall, which is not ideal for concerts, will be transformed into a real jazz and dance temple with a huge light show, surround sound and a few surprises.
10 years of Jazzrausch Bigband, Saturday, February 17th, 8 p.m., Small Olympiahalle, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, www.jazzrauschbigband.de