Bergen Big Band

Jun 20

Who: Bergen Big Band (BBB)

What: Fostering the next generation of jazz musicians by creating a unique platform where talented youth can play with a professional big band

Where: Bergen

Project period: 2024

Web: Bergen Big Band

About the organization:

Established as a flagship jazz ensemble for Western Norway, BBB celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021. It is the country’s only professional jazz ensemble with a full big band lineup, consisting of top jazz musicians from Vestland. Bergen Big Band (BBB) is a crucial platform for developing and recruiting musicians, significantly contributing to high-quality artistic production and innovation. Through extensive collaborations with international composers, band leaders, and soloists, BBB enhances Bergen and Vestland’s reputation as a prominent European cultural region and is a sought-after partner internationally. BBB is a member-based association with its own board, artistic leadership, and 17 members. Despite having a core ensemble, the band frequently incorporates local substitutes, offering valuable professional experience. BBB’s operations are primarily funded by public grants from the Norwegian Cultural Council and Bergen Municipality, aimed at supporting ongoing and project-specific activities. BBB’s primary mission is the artistic performance of jazz music at a high international level. However, the band is expanding its societal role by initiating an annual big band workshop for youth aged 15-22. This workshop offers young musicians the opportunity to learn from and perform with professionals through sit-ins, lessons, and masterclasses, culminating in a final concert. Invitations are extended to music institutions throughout Vestland and Rogaland.

About the project:

Bergen Big Band is dedicated to fostering the next generation of jazz musicians by creating a unique platform where talented youth can play with a professional big band. The aim is to challenge participants musically, socially, and mentally, offering them an immersive journey into the communicative world of jazz.

Since 2020, BBB has successfully organized annual big band workshops and courses, receiving enthusiastic applications and positive feedback from participants and their parents. The overwhelming response highlighted the importance of this initiative, prompting BBB to continue the program in 2024. A memorable moment from a previous workshop involved a young musician, who moved to tears after the final concert, had dared to improvise for the first time and succeeded.

The workshop targets young musicians aged 15-22 from Vestland and Rogaland, particularly those from music programs, cultural schools, folk high schools, and music colleges. Participants are selected based on applications, submitted recordings, and references. A full big band, composed of youth from the region, will have the opportunity to experience sit-ins with professional musicians from BBB, receive specialized training, participate in sectional rehearsals, and attend masterclasses. BBB is committed to the recruitment and development of talent within the big band genre.

This annual workshop is a key component of our strategy to nurture young talent. Additionally, the workshop aims to address the gender imbalance in jazz. Currently, there are too few female jazz students and musicians. BBB seeks to foster jazz interest among young women, many of whom play in bands or study classical music. We see an opportunity to attract more young women to jazz during this critical age.

The workshop will accommodate a full big band of 20 participants. BBB will provide musicians from its own ensemble to coach, assist, and instruct. Selected participants will experience sit-ins with professional musicians from BBB, receive individualized lessons, participate in sectional rehearsals, and take part in masterclasses and a concluding concert. This provides a rare chance to learn from professionals and perform with BBB. The workshop will be held at Fana kulturhus, utilizing multiple rooms to conduct simultaneous group lessons. The musical curriculum includes a comprehensive exploration of big band history, covering various eras of jazz. Participants will gain insights into different styles and authentic performance practices that have shaped jazz over time. The participants can also join a masterclass, where they prepare a standard jazz song and have the opportunity to perform as a soloist with BBB's rhythm section. With fellow participants as the audience, soloists will play with an experienced rhythm section, gaining invaluable experience in improvisation, ensemble playing, music theory, and active listening. This experience enriches both the soloists and their peers. The workshop concludes with a concert, allowing participants to showcase their skills to an audience. In addition to masterclasses, sectional rehearsals will be conducted, where each instrument group receives instruction from BBB members, who bring extensive experience as professional performers and educators across multiple jazz styles. This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive learning experience for all participants.