Danish Radio Big Band
One of the premiere large jazz ensembles in Denmark, the Danish Radio Big Band (aka DR Big Band) is a dynamic ensemble with a sophisticated approach to post-bop jazz and swing. Although a spotlight organization in their own right with a roster of top Danish musicians, they have built a strong reputation for their many collaborations and recordings with world-renowned jazz soloists. 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 Broadcast 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 (Suite for Jazz Band) 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 (Groove Travels). 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.
© Matt Collar /TiVo
Discography
13 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Imaginary Visions
Miho Hazama, Danish Radio Big Band
Jazz - Released by Edition Records on Sep 24, 2021
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Tributes
Marius Neset, Danish Radio Big Band, Miho Hazama
Jazz - Released by ACT Music on Sep 25, 2020
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazzin' Around Christmas
Christmas Music - Released by Storyville Records on Nov 18, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Good Time Was Had by All, Vol. 1 - The Early Years
Jazz - Released by Storyville Records on Oct 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Good Time Was Had by All, Vol. 6 - Thomas Clausen, Palle Mikkelborg, Jim Mcneely & Michel Camilo 1999-2001 & 2014
Jazz - Released by Storyville Records on Oct 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lamb, Siobhan: The Nightingale & the Rose
DR VokalEnsemblet, Gerard Presencer, Danish Radio Big Band
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Proprius on Jun 5, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Good Time Was Had by All, Vol. 3 - Home and Abroad 1991-1996
Jazz - Released by Storyville Records on Oct 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Good Time Was Had by All, Vol. 2 - Thad Jones and First U.K. Tour
Jazz - Released by Storyville Records on Oct 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Good Time Was Had by All - Australia 1997
Jazz - Released by Storyville Records on Oct 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Crackdown - First U.K. Tour (Live)
Jazz - Released by Hep Records on Feb 7, 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Suite for Jazz Band
Jazz - Released by Hep Records on Feb 6, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Good Time Was Had by All, Vol. 5 - Silvana Malta, Niels Jørgen Steen & Martial Solal 1997-1999
Jazz - Released by Storyville Records on Oct 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Jazz Ballad Song Book
Jazz - Released by Half Note Records on Feb 22, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo