Directed by Christian Radovan

21 February 2019

Odeion

19:30

An exhilarating big band concert that will have you tapping your feet!

The Bruckner University Big Band, directed by Christian Radovan, was founded in October 2016 in Linz (Austria) as part of a course at the Institute for Jazz and Improvised Music. A selection of chosen compositions from the swing era features in their repertoire. Many wonderful songs like “Cheek to Cheek” by Irving Berlin or “Johnny One Note” by Richard Rogers were transcribed by Christian Radovan from the original recordings and come to life again through the emotions and positive input by this very enthusiastic and talented band.

“More than ever we all need to understand and respect one another's cultures in order to promote peace & harmony on our planet”, explains Christian. Through their live performances in Africa these young musicians have a chance to apply their musical abilities in an intercultural context, and to build personal and cultural bridges through music. The encounter of young musicians across national borders is the central motivation. It enables the participants to get to know and appreciate new cultures and other perspectives and thus makes an important contribution to the early formation of tolerance and cosmopolitanism. The repertoire of the 22 students spans from big band classics to today rarely heard songs of the swing era. Christian Radovan transcribed most of the pieces from the original recordings and brings them to new life. After a successful South African tour in February 2018 and numerous performances across Austria, the first CD of the Bruckner Uni Big Band was released in November 2018.

Christian Radovan was born in Linz (Austria) and grew up in South Africa. At the age of 17 he and his family moved back to Austria and lived in Vienna since. Besides being the Jazz trombone lecturer at the Anton Bruckner University (Linz), Christian has worked as a freelance musician for more than 30 years and was a permanent member of the Vienna Art Orchestra for 20 years. He has toured in Europe, Asia, USA, and Africa and has done collaboration projects and performed with numerous artists. Christian is also a permanent member of the Austrian version of the TV show Dancing with the Stars, since 11 years. The 2019 South Africa tour with the Bruckner Uni Big Band will be the 7th SA - Austria collaboration project since 10 years that Christian will be involved in.

PROGRAMME

• Rogers and Hart, arranged by Francy Boland: Johnny One Note
• McCoy: Why Don't You Do Right
• Feldman and Fitzgerald, arranged by Chick Web: A Tisket A Tasket
• Berlin, arranged Frank De Vol: Cheek To Cheek
• Gordon Goodwin: Backrow Politics
• Don Ellis, arranged Ron Davis: French Connection
• Ellington, Kuller, Webster, arranged by Riddle: Jump For Joy
• Zequinha de Abreu, arranged Holman and Gibb: Tico Tico
• Terry Gibbs, arranged Med Flory: The Claw
• Gilbert, Sauter and Wilder: All The Cats Join In
• Gershwin: Zugabe - I Got Rhythm, and others

ADMISSION

• R150 (adults)
• *R80 (pensioners)
• *R80 (UFS staff)
• *R60 (students, learners and block bookings of 10+)

Tickets available at Computicket or online at http://online.computicket.com/web/

*Please note that tickets for pensioners, students, learners and UFS staff can only be purchased at a Computicket outlet (Shoprite Checkers) or at the doors since a valid card or ID has to be presented to qualify for the above-mentioned discount.

ENQUIRIES
Ninette Pretorius (tel. 051 401 2504)