SWR Big Band - Heimspiel No.19

The SWR Big Band celebrates a new home game: It's getting funky in the 19th edition. With Secrets - The Funky Herbie Hancock, the band is dedicating itself to a milestone of jazz funk. Under the direction of Magnus Lindgren and John Beasley, Herbie Hancock's legendary album Secrets gets a powerful update in big band sound. When the album was released in 1976, it set new standards - with driving basslines, iconic synthesizers and a sound that combined jazz and funk in a new way. Tracks like Doin' It or Cantelope Island still represent this unmistakable energy today. Lindgren and Beasley have already proven that they can impressively reinterpret such soundscapes with their Grammy-winning production Bird Lives. Now they turn their attention to Herbie Hancock and transfer his funky vision to the sonic dimension of a big band. Musicians from Hancock's immediate circle ensure particular authenticity: West African guitarist Lionel Loueke, a member of Herbie Hancock's band for many years, contributes his characteristic combination of African influences and modern jazz. The internationally renowned percussionist Rhani Krija, who has worked with Herbie Hancock, Sting and Prince, among others, also plays a formative role. With
With his multi-layered, dynamic playing, he lends the sound a rhythmic depth that makes the funk immediately tangible. The result is a concert that combines musical excellence with pure joy of playing - and impressively brings Herbie Hancock's funky sound world to the stage with the energy and precision of the SWR Big Band. As always, we have invited a very special surprise guest for the second half.

You can look forward to it!