Rabshakeh Posted February 12 Report Posted February 12 It seems like the WDR Big Band has been around for a while and a lot of people enjoy records featuring guest stars playing with it. I'd be interested to know whether anyone has any favourites. Quote
Dan Gould Posted February 12 Report Posted February 12 If you enjoy Joe Williams' singing this one is fine: https://www.discogs.com/release/19562413-WDR-Big-Band-Köln-feat-Joe-Williams-Milt-Jackson-w-Cedar-Walton-John-Clayton-Jeff-Hamilton-Blues-Be Quote
Niko Posted February 12 Report Posted February 12 Heard them a lot as a kid growing up in Cologne where they had a weekly radio show... Can't say that I grew into a fan but one album I remember liking is this one with Charlie Mariano and a fusion of jazz and Indian music https://www.discogs.com/release/4008349-WDR-Big-Band-Köln-Charlie-Mariano-Karnataka-College-Of-Percussion-Mike-Herting-Sketches-Of-Bangalor but I may be biased since I was in the audience that day... They have regular programs which they play for the radio and in concerts in the region, only some of which make it into albums ... This week it's probably carnival music, but in other weeks they have quite nice and diverse projects Quote
Rabshakeh Posted February 12 Author Report Posted February 12 4 hours ago, mr jazz said: the Lew Tabackin release is excellent. I weirdly can't locate this one on discogs or Google. Quote
mr jazz Posted February 13 Report Posted February 13 (edited) 18 hours ago, Rabshakeh said: I weirdly can't locate this one on discogs or Google. Sorry, see https://www.allmusic.com/album/pyramid-mw0000667776 It was with the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra. Edited February 13 by mr jazz Quote
Rabshakeh Posted February 13 Author Report Posted February 13 41 minutes ago, mr jazz said: Sorry, see https://www.allmusic.com/album/pyramid-mw0000667776 It was with the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra. Ah. Okay thanks. I actually know that one. A good'un. Quote
jazzcorner Posted February 13 Report Posted February 13 (edited) On 2/12/2026 at 12:51 PM, Rabshakeh said: It seems like the WDR Big Band has been around for a while and a lot of people enjoy records featuring guest stars playing with it. I'd be interested to know whether anyone has any favourites. The WDR Big Band is one of the top european big band . Its a radion employed orchestra and has good financial sources for the members. Have followed the weekly radio broadcasts from the early 1980s on and have about several hundred files from their FM radio concerts with great US and european soloists. The band had no regular drummer during the 1980s so there was a regular collaboration for example with Mel Lews (he is quoted: the WDR BB is my second orchestra). In addition Bill Holman preferred to present his own compositions and suites the first time for an public auditorium here in Cologne at various places rather than in the US. Many famous US stars were featured in these public concerts. Also the leaders for these public concerts changed very often. Bill Holman was one of them. Radio WDR had offered a software "radiorecorder" for the fans of the band to record these events for free and private use (burn your own CDrs, what i did also. Here is an example : https://up.picr.de/50579005at.jpg Edited February 13 by jazzcorner Quote
Milestones Posted February 13 Report Posted February 13 Abdullah Ibrahim's Bombella is an outstanding record with WDR. Quote
tranemonk Posted 1 hour ago Report Posted 1 hour ago I'm just wondering why there's never been a box set of this group? Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.