About NBB

Norrbotten Big Band [NBB], from Luleå situated in the very north part of Sweden, is a modern big band with excessive visions and qualities. Artistic director, American trumpet player and arranger, Tim Hagans has ambitiously developed the established Swedish big band tradition to an international high level. The bands unique expression has left many permanent tracks in the world of jazz, on records, in radio telecasts and reviews in leading jazz magazines worldwide. Their latest album, Worth The Wait, featuring acclaimed drummer Peter Erskine is a sensational record. Down Beat rated the album four out of five possible stars and many critics called it "one of the best big band recordings in many years". The band also has credits for the excellent record, Up North, with legendary valve trombone player and composer Bob Brookmeyer. Over the years many well-known musicians have performed with NBB, Toots Thielemans, Maria Schneider, Joe Lovano, David Liebman, Chris Potter, Bobby Shew, Randy Brecker, Conrad Herwig, Scott Kinsey, Rufus Reid, Peter Erskine, Georgie Fame, Putte Wickman, Nils Landgren, E.S.T., Viktoria Tolstoy and Rigmor Gustafsson. The collaboration with Ann-Sofie Söderqvist will result in a CD during 2009. In 2009 NBB also presents many interesting collaborations and programs. The band will explore bass player Charles Mingus´s world in March 2009 under saxophone player Steve Slagle´s direction. Mr Slagle is also the band leader of The Mingus Big Band in New York. In October American pianist and composer Carla Bley visits Norrbotten together with bass player Steve Swallow and the dynamic drummer Bill Drummond. Unique and modern is the meeting in December 2009 when the Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble and Norrbotten Big Band share the stage. This is a world premier for a performance including dance, video film, jazz and big band musicians. In May 2009, the Norrbotten Big Band will travel to New York to record their second album with drummer Peter Erskine. Special guests invited to participate are trumpet player Randy Brecker, saxophonists Joe Lovano and David Liebman and basist Rufus Reid. WOW!