Act Big Band
ACT BIG BAND : an amazing “jazz machine” !
Since its foundation, in 1978, ACT BIG BAND has become a real institution on the Belgian jazz scene.
Born as the result of an initiative of drummer Félix SIMTAINE, and under the musical direction of pianist and composer/arranger Michel HERR, this pureblood jazz big band is a sound machine of great precision.
Jean-Pol SCHROEDER wrote : “It is true that the work that he has done within his big band, is comparable to this of the assembling great masters in jazz history : Mingus, Ellington, Miles…”
ACT BIG BAND gathers some of the best soloists in the country, the majority of whom lead their own groups.
ACT BIG BAND plays many compositions by Belgian musicians, mainly :
Michel HERR (Toots Thielemans, WDR, etc)
Bert JORIS (Joe Haider/Mel Lewis Big Band)
and also :
Francy BOLAND (Clarke-Boland Big Band)
Jean WARLAND (WDR, Clarke-Boland)
Arnould MASSART (Avogadro, Maurane).
etc.
In 1986, the” Conseil de la Musique de la Communauté Française de Belgique” commissioned several new pieces for Act Big Band to the above mentioned composers.
Several well known musicians have been members of ACT BIG BAND or have played with it :
John RUOCCO, Guy CABAY, Toots THIELEMANS, Steve HOUBEN, Joe LOVANO, Bill FRISELL, Joe Lee WILSON, Jon EARDLEY.
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