Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Contact
Please contact Elli Appleby for further information.

Elli Appleby
Special Projects Manager
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Email: bbcbigband@rpo.co.uk
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7608 8839
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7608 8801

BIOGRAPHY
The BBC Big Band is widely regarded as the UK’s leading Big Band. It has won the prestigious ‘Best Big Band Award’ at the British Jazz Awards six times, most recently in 2007, and was nominated for the same award again in 2008. The Band has entertained thousands with international stars such as Tony Bennett, George Benson, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, George Shearing, Michel Legrand, Phil Woods, Joe Lovano, Cleo Laine, Lalo Schifrin, Bob Brookmeyer, Michael Ball, Claire Martin, Amy Winehouse, Abdullah Ibrahim, Dr John, Jack Bruce and Ray Charles.

In addition to its regular studio and concert recordings, the BBC Big Band regularly gives live performances at major venues around the UK, as well as touring with major music artists abroad. Within the UK, the BBC Big Band is probably best known for its regular Monday night show Big Band Special hosted by vocalist Clare Teal on BBC Radio 2, as well its appearances on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up. The band’s performances also reach huge global audiences through its regular broadcasts for the BBC World Service, satellite radio and via the internet.

Building on the strong reputation it has built up through performances on the UK and European festival circuit, the BBC Big Band has recently appeared at the London, Coventry, Gateshead, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Great North, Swansea, Scarborough and Brecon jazz festivals, as well as appearances at London’s Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms and Proms in the Park series. The BBC Big Band’s previous performances at the BBC Proms have featured guests such as Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Clark Terry, Wayne Marshall and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

At the recent BBC Play It Again event at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, the BBC Big Band worked with Black Voices and hundreds of aspiring musicians from the area, in an educational music project which was widely acclaimed by both the media and the public alike.

Highlights of the current season include a series of six concerts for broadcast on BBC Radio 2, celebrating the BBC Big Band’s role as Associated Artist of the Birmingham Town Hall at this newly re-launched concert venue. The BBC Big Band also toured to Mexico in October 2008, joining forces on stage with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to play a Beatles-inspired programme to enthusiastic audiences totaling 20,000.

In spring 2009, the BBC Big Band will host its first ever London concert season. The three concerts to be held at the Cadogan Hall in Chelsea will highlight the BBC Big Band’s legendary versatility, ranging in style from stage and screen hits to mellow contemporary arrangements of classics to Rat Pack favourites. The series will feature acclaimed guest vocalists Ruthie Henshall, Stacey Kent and Peter Grant.

'By far the best band to come out of England.' - George Shearing

'A wonderful bunch of guys, made up of the finest jazz musicians in the country - the best in the business.' - Clare Teal

'A jazz orchestra primed and at the ready to get to the heart of the matter. Now, for survival; one must be versatile, for jazz; one must be ready to swing...hard! The BBC Big Band live both realities!' - Julian Joseph

'A wonderful band.' - Tony Bennett