Eastside Jazz Festival: BBC Big Band

The BBC Big Band

Musical Director Barry Forgie

Widely regarded as one the world’s leading, and most versatile, Jazz Orchestras, The BBC Big Band continues to delight audiences around the world through their broadcasts on BBC Radio as well their live performances at some of the country’s most prestigious venues.

The Band’s musical collaborations read like a ‘who’s who’ of the international music scene, and have included artists as diverse as: Tony Bennett, Martin Taylor, Robert Palmer, Louis Stewart, Van Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Mel Torme, Clark Terry, Michael Buble, Dr John, George Benson, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, and Ray Charles … to name just a few!

Within the UK, the BBC Big Band is perhaps best known for its work across the BBC’s radio channels – particularly BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3. Their performances also reach huge global audience, through its regular broadcasts for the BBC World Service, and via the BBC’s iPlayer service … making this a truly international orchestra.

Live performances have included numerous appearances at London’s Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms, the ‘BBC Proms in the Park’ series in Hyde Park; as well as concerts at the UK’s premier concert venues, including venues such as Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Snape Maltings, the Glasshouse Gateshead, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall,, and London’s Cadogan Hall.

"World-class musicians … a brilliant musical force" The Telegraph
"Sheer brilliance" The Guardian
"The best in the business" Clare Teal
"Joyous!" George Benson
"For survival, one must be versatile, for jazz, one must be ready to swing ... hard!
The BBC Big Band live both realities." Julian Joseph
"The best big band we have ever had in this Festival.
Precision, dynamics musicality - simply amazing!" Lucern World Band Festival
"One of the great European Jazz Orchestras. It would be difficult to imagine any band anywhere doing a better job" The Observer

Running time approx. two hours including interval