The Barga Jazz Festival 2007 continued this evening with the MSA “Jazzmania” Big Band from Amsterdam directed by the flautist/saxophonist Peter Guidi. The Big Band is one of the most renown young orchestras from Europe and has won many international prizes. The connection with the Festival is due also to Peter Guidi’s Barga origins (his Grandfather was born in Tiglio) -- currently he teaches Jazz at the MSA in Amsterdam.
The Jazzmania big band contains some of the best young talent in the Netherlands. The band’s repertoire consists of original compositions and arrangements combined with material from the jazz big band tradition. Beginning with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton, the repertoire follows the development of big band music from Count Basie and Woody Herman to Thad Jones and the modern arrangers of today. Throughout the years the Jazzmania Big Band has been very active in the Amsterdam and Netherlands jazz and cultural scene, taking part in national and international big band festivals.
In the fifteen years since its formation the big band has won no less than 22 prizes in national and international competitions. For a full list of the bands achievements visit: jazzmania.nl or peterguidi.com
‘This is a remarkably impressive ensemble that serves, in Guidi’s words, as “a stepping stone for many talented young players.” Jazzmania has them in abundance, and the future of big-band Jazz, at least in The Netherlands, seems as luminous and breathtaking as the aurora borealis.’
Jack Bowers, big band specialist, American music magazine ‘Cadence’.
Click on the link below to listen to a short interview with Peter Guidi recorded in Barga this evening after the concert where he talks about childhood memories when visiting Tiglio and his views on Jazz as an art form. [display_podcast]
Cum Culus Calcandus Est, Culus Calcabitur