Flavorsome Big Band Jazz Comes to Beijing
Compared to Beijing’s rock music scene, bars specializing in jazz are thin on the ground. Since OT Lounge closed, East Shore Live Jazz Café is only recommendation that springs to mind. Fortunately, we often have international jazz bands visiting town, so you can head to concert hall to experience some jazz – as long as you can pretend to be a sober saint. This month we have the Hessian State Youth Jazz Orchestra, (“Kicks & Sticks”), one of the best youth jazz orchestras in Europe.
As founder and artistic director of the “Kicks and Sticks,” Wolfgang Diefenbach is a versatile conductor. He has collaborated with many well-known orchestras, soloists and jazz bands, and is famous for large-scale crossover concert projects. On his Beijing tour, Diefenbach will lead his jazz orchestra with a vocal group and solo singer, in a program that includes Frank Runhof’s Kicks and Sticks, Bob Mintzer’s Pots and Pans, Ivan Lins’ Rio Maio, and Duke Ellington’s Satin Doll and Take the A-Train.
What is the unique feature of “Kicks & Sticks” compared to other orchestras? What kind of jazz style does “Kick & Sticks” normally play?
Kicks & Sticks plays all the styles that are possible for a big band. This orchestra is able to change between grooving, smoking and hard driving tempos on one side and deep emotional and sensitive ballads on the other side, that create a magic atmosphere.
What's the difference between conducting jazz and symphonic works for you?
In a big band you have already the drummer “who is the Boss” like Count Basie said. That means that tempo conducting makes no sense in a Big Band (only in rubato parts or fermatas), so you have a very spare gesture and you go for the “big kicks”. You conduct with your eyes and personality. To lead a big orchestra through a symphonic piece, the idea of keeping the time and helping the musicians to understand your intentions by gesture becomes very important. It is very necessary to have a clear vision of the special piece of music in your mind before you even start to rehearse. Probably some of these visions change a little bit when you are rehearsing, but a conductor has to be able to make his vision become true in the concert by his gestures and his whole personality and concentration.
Who is your favorite jazz musician? Why?
Count Basie – because he understood the most about time
How did you arranged the program for Beijing audiences?
The program for Beijing is full of favorites because I want to win the public for Big Band Jazz in showing how many possibilities and highlights this music has.
What is the most difficult or challenging aspect of fusing philharmonics, jazz and choirs together?
To bring it all together means that every department has to respect you for their special needs and has to trust that you will fulfill these needs.
Does “Kicks & Sticks” improvise?
Improvisation belongs to Jazz. In many pieces of the program we have room for it. The improvisation happens in the harmonic structure and form of the piece.
What can a jazz orchestra bring to audiences that a small jazz ensemble cannot?
The special feature of an orchestra is the sound, colors and the rich variety. A small ensemble has more freedom and room for improvisation
Hessian State Youth Jazz Orchestra, 7.30pm, February 20, Forbidden Concert Hall (6559 8285). RMB 30-580. Tickets at 6417 7845 or here.
Their CD will be available to buy at their concerts or here.
