Young European Big Band Jazz
Jazz Concert
Under the patronage of the European Parliament
Thursday, 10 September, 8 pm, Ludwigshafen
Friday, 11 September, 9 pm, Open Air Worms
Saturday, 12 September, 8 pm, Mannheim
Program
Young European Big Band Jazz conducted by Thomas Siffling
*****
The program takes the audience on a journey through the stylistic diversity of the genre – from the classics of the swing era to contemporary soundscapes. Works by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and Neal Hefti meet compositions by modern voices such as Gordon Goodwin, Chick Corea and Michel Camilo. Arrangements, particularly by Sammy Nestico, lend the programme its characteristic orchestral colour.
At the heart of it all is the classic big-band sound: precisely arranged horn sections, scope for solo improvisation, and a rhythmic pulse that ranges from laid-back swing to Latin American influences. With Count Bubba, In a Mellow Tone, Easy to Love and Spain, four perspectives of this repertoire come together – tradition, songbook elegance, modern big-band language and an openness to fusion and Latin jazz.
The musical direction is in the hands of Thomas Siffling, who, through intensive rehearsals with the big band, has developed a programme that is both stylistically assured and full of energy. With his own arrangement, Anticipation, he also adds a personal touch to the programme.
All works at a glance
Thomas Siffling
Anticipation
Arr. Chris Perschke
Sammy Nestico
Basie – Straight Ahead
Peter Herbolzheimer
Blues in Latin
Duke Ellington
C Jam Blues
Arr. Dave Wolpe
Gordon Goodwin
Count Bubba
Neal Hefti
Cute
Cole Porter
Easy to Love
Arr. Sammy Nestico
Duke Ellington
In a Mellow Tone
Arr. Oliver Nelson
Sammy Nestico
It’s Oh, So Nice
Neal Hefti
Li’l Darlin’
Jason Marshall
Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey!!
Michel Camilo
One More Once
Arr. Ed Gent / D. Bacon
Chick Corea
Spain
Arr. Paul Jennings
W. C. Handy
St. Louis Blues
Arr. Sammy Nestico
Sammy Nestico
The Queen Bee
Bert Joris
Walking Tiptoe
Works
Duke Ellington
In a Mellow Tone (Arr. Oliver Nelson)
is one of the classics of the big band repertoire – a piece of seemingly effortless elegance. Composed in 1939, the piece thrives on its relaxed swing and a harmonic sophistication that goes far beyond its catchy surface. In Oliver Nelson’s arrangement, the piece gains additional sonic depth: dense brass sections, subtle dynamic nuances and scope for soloists to shine characterise this version. Thus, Ellington’s unmistakable sound is combined with a more modern orchestral approach – casual, stylish and timeless.
Cole Porter
Easy to love (Arr. Sammy Nestico)
is one of the great standards of the American songbook. Originally composed in 1936 for a Broadway musical, the song captivates with its elegant melody and the characteristic blend of sophistication and lightness that defines Porter’s style. In Sammy Nestico’s arrangement, the song becomes a big-band number of classic smoothness: warm brass sections, clear structures and a relaxed swing cast the melody in a new light. A piece of timeless appeal – stylish, accessible and full of charm.
Gordon Goodwin
Count Bubba
Gordon Goodwin playfully pays homage to the swing tradition – whilst at the same time bringing it into the present day. The piece is a tribute to the characteristic big-band sound of the swing era: driving, precise and full of energy. At the same time, Goodwin expands the language of this tradition with modern harmonic twists, complex rhythms and virtuoso passages for the entire ensemble. The result is a piece that feels both familiar and highly contemporary – a powerful example of just how vibrant big-band jazz can be today.
Chick Corea
Spain
Chick Corea’s Spain is one of the best-known works of modern jazz. Composed in 1971, the piece combines elements of jazz with Spanish-influenced rhythms and harmonies – an example of the genre’s stylistic expansion towards fusion and Latin jazz. The introduction is already famous for its reference to Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, before the piece transitions into an energetic, rhythmically complex main theme. is one of the best-known works of modern jazz.
The Big Band version reveals a rich, full sound: virtuoso wind sections, driving rhythms and scope for solo improvisation characterise the piece. The work embodies a style of jazz that draws on tradition whilst breaking new ground – colourful, dynamic and still as powerful as ever.
Artists
Thomas Siffling
Musical Director of the Young European Big Band Jazz Ensemble
Thomas Siffling is one of the most successful jazz musicians of his generation in the German-speaking world. He studied jazz trumpet in Mannheim and Stuttgart, received numerous awards—including the Jazz Prize of the State of Baden-Württemberg—and toured with support from the Goethe-Institut through India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Haiti, and Italy.
As a composer, he wrote several ballet scores for the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe and the National Theatre Mannheim. He led the SAP Big Band for 20 years and has been directing the International Rotary Big Band since 2019.
With the Ella & Louis Live Jazz Club in the Rosengarten Mannheim, Siffling has established one of Germany’s most renowned jazz clubs. Awarded the nationwide program prize “Applaus” and ranked by Downbeat Magazine among the top 100 jazz clubs worldwide, he captivates his audience here—live, passionately, and charmingly. Since 2024, a second club has also been operating in the Holzhausenschlösschen in Frankfurt.
Press reviews
Ensemble – Young European Big Band Jazz
The EYOA ensemble brings together exceptional young musicians from across Europe. For our Young European Symphony Orchestra, 19 talented musicians from a total of 8 European nations were selected – the best of their generation. Through intensive rehearsals, this has grown into an ensemble that combines musical excellence with the energy and diversity of a young Europe.
Trumpet
Droiska Nora, Latvia
García i López Martí ,Spain
Pereira Santiago, Portugal
Sbragia Franceschini Bruno, Italy
Wojnarski Brunon, Poland
Posaune
Ballester Angel, Spain
Marti Candela David ,Spain
Pachler Emanuel, Austria
Smolander Juhani, Finland
Soria Alai, Spain
Saxofon
Blanco Aurora ,Spain
Coronado Luis, Spain
Garcia Lleó, Spain
Giner Selam ,Spain
Reillo Ximo, Spain
E-Gitarre
Manicone Federico, Italy
Double Bass
Cataini Alejo, Spain
Piano
Roig Joan, Spain
Drums
Dates & tickets
Jazzkonzert I
Thursday, 10 September 2026
8 pm
BASF Social Club
Ludwigshafen
Price per item: €29
School pupils & students: €12
Jazzkonzert II Open Air
Friday, 11 Spetmeber 2026
9 pm
Open Air Andreas Stift
Worms
Price per item: €29
School pupils & students: €12
Gala Concert
Saturday, 12 September 2026
8 pm
Musensaal Rosengarten
Mannheim
Individual ticket prices: €65 / €55 / €45
School pupils & students: €15
Supporters & Sponsors
