The WDR Big Band, hailing from Cologne, Germany, has established itself as one of the preeminent jazz ensembles in Europe and beyond. This Grammy-winning orchestra is a key component of the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), a German public broadcasting institution, and has been showcasing its diverse range of jazz stylings since it was founded in the 1940s. Under the aegis of the WDR, the band has evolved into a dynamic powerhouse, focusing on both traditional jazz frameworks and innovative, genre-bending projects.

With a history of collaborating with a myriad of celebrated musicians, composers, and arrangers, the WDR Big Band has curated a richly eclectic discography that does justice to its formidable reputation. In their most recent albums, they have explored a vast musical landscape. From the interpretation of classical motifs in "Ariabesques - WDR Big Band Plays Bach (The Goldberg Variations)" to lending their spirited arrangements to film with "Bonn (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)," they have consistently pushed the envelope. Their bold fusion of sounds and willingness to experiment are further echoed in the varied textures of releases like "Handwarme Kastanien," "Renderings," and "Colors & Shadows," showcasing not just a mastery of big band jazz but also an unending quest for musical evolution. Whether it's paying homage to jazz legends in "Along Goes Betty" or capturing rhythmic innovations in "Feel the Beat," the WDR Big Band continues to be a beacon of creativity and an exemplar of contemporary big band brilliance.

Genres

Jazz Orchestra

Modern Big Band

Latest Release

WDR Big Band — Small Group Sessions — Incentive

WDR Big Band

Ep - 6 Tracks - Released June 21, 2024