Enjoy Jazz School Big Band

As we all know, the past two years of the pandemic have been a pretty lean and tough time for professional musicians. But it couldn't have been worse for young talents, especially students playing together in bands: Not much was possible; lessons and joint rehearsals fell victim - like so many other things - to the various corona waves. So it's all the more pleasing that the Enjoy Jazz Schulbigband will be back on stage this year with a new program. The ensemble regularly brings together the most distinguished talents from the school big bands of several grammar schools in the region, aged between 13 and 18. The project was launched back in 2012 as a sustainable initiative to promote young talent, which is very important to both the Enjoy Jazz Festival and the supporting BASF. In the meantime, several years of students have passed through the ensemble, the repertoire has been steadily expanded and the band has ventured into increasingly complex pieces and tasks. An ensemble benefits from continuity, even if there is naturally a high turnover of young members. Each year, it can build on the foundations laid previously. The success of this can be seen not only in the performances. An indication of the high quality of the work is also the fact that some young musicians have decided to study music after leaving school, encouraged by the experience gained in the big band. However, one person who played a key role in the development of the project and actively supported it as band leader over the years is missing: Michael Hilprecht died in May 2021, aged just 43. Many thoughts will be with him on this evening, and one or two of the pieces will be reminiscent of him. However, it is not yet clear exactly what program awaits the audience. It will definitely be rousing.