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Daniel Riegler is one of the founders of the Jazz Workshop in Vienna, from which many fantastic and notable projects and bands have been born. The 20 piece ensemble “Studio Dan” (named after the 1978 Frank Zappa release) was formed in 2005 with the intention to bring something new and even “bigger” to life, and so Riegler began to organize a band of musicians around him to suite the project. The interplay between musicians was an important and deciding factor in the overall decision making process, since Riegler was interested in having an intimate interplay between the musicians, and not just another ground of seasoned, and estranged, professionals. The band spends countless hours practicing, traveling and playing concerts and Rigeler was dedicate to not following the practice of most big bands. In his own words, “It isn’t enough to just call someone and ask if they can jump in and play for the night….normally big bands fill the instrument slot with whoever can play that night, and I wanted to get away from that tradition, even if it isn’t always possible to prevent it.”

The Austrian big band scene witnessed a remarkable boom in recent years. Despite losing their most famous figurehead. By Andreas Felber.

The glory days are a long time back: In the Swing era of the 1930s, big bands were considered as hip - the pop bands of the time, with people dancing to their music and indulging in their interpersonal interests. Ever so often the genre was declared dead after 1946, when big band music in the U.S. was induced with a 20% entertainment tax and subsequently eight renowned orchestras - including those of Benny Goodman, Woody Herman and Harry James – simultaneously gave up. Despite prophecies of doom and economic difficulties big bands still existed and they exist to this day. Especially since the 1990s, the breeding ground for grand jazz ensembles has become even more fertile: Yes, big band jazz is back! This could be related to the currently observed swing revival, initiated and supported by pop stars who are looking for image renewals and new target groups: lets just recall Robbie Williams' tribute to Sinatra with "Swing When You're Winning", Roger Cicero storming the pop charts with his big band swing songs, and even the Belgian crossover tenor Helmut Lotti with "Time to Swing" (2008), demonstrating the broad impact of the new genre.

For two decades Mnozil Brass has been able to impress many, many music connoisseurs at home and abroad. Those who have already exprienced the combo live probably know why. A concert of the seven headed formation almost always evolves into a highly thrilling and entertaining musical experience. Thus, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate this special anniversary year. And that’s exactly what Mnozil Brass has set out to do in the coming months with an extensive European tour.

She has soul and a particular charismatic tone in her voice that gives each song that special something. Born in 1981, Simone Kopmajer already achieved at a young age what many musicians, bands and ensembles dream of – the launch of a successful international career. In the United States, Japan and Southeast Asia, the singer is a household name for lovers of demanding and refined jazz music. She fills large concert halls, performs as the headliner of major international festivals and has sold thousands of CDs worldwide. Lo and behold, it seems as if only Austria is not quite aware of this outstanding and award winning singer.