Description
The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (JOC) is one of the world's great jazz ensembles.
"I've known some of these musicians since the late '90's.
But I'd never worked with the whole JOC until January 2020. Then Juan Martinez, JOC artistic director (and baritone saxophonist), emailed me. He
proposed that I write a CD's worth of music for the band, featuring all their soloists. After many more months of Zoom rehearsals (ugh!), scheduling
delays, and even more Zoom (ugh!) we got into the studio in Hilversum for three intense days last November." (Jim McNeely)
The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (JOC) – the Netherlands' best big band with the most swing, according to many – was founded in 1996 by Henk Meutgeert and others as the New Concert Big Band. Since 1999, on the initiative of then-Concertgebouw managing director Martijn Sanders, it was proudly given the name of Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw ['The Royal Concert Hall'].
The JOC performs worldwide with jazz greats such as the likes of Benny Golson and Oleta Adams and talented young blood, with José James and Christian Scott among the pool. The JOC connects with its audiences, whether in large or smaller settings and makes jazz, in the broadest sense of the word, accessible to audiences of all ages and expectations. Through its shows abroad, the JOC manages to bring Dutch jazz far afield and to the stages of famous concert halls. Approximately 35,000 visitors are drawn to the JOC's concerts each year.
