Big Band Der Bundeswehr - 50 Jahre Die Big Band der Bundeswehr & Friends (2022)

The Big Band of the Bundeswehr, led by band leader Timor Oliver Chadik, is one of the most unusual show and entertainment orchestras in Germany for several reasons. The ensemble clearly stands out among the 14 ensembles of the Bundeswehr's military music service on behalf of the appearance and sound of a classic big band line-up. Ordinary marching and orchestral literature is non-existent here. In addition, there is no other show and entertainment orchestra that travels through Germany and the world with such a state-of-the-art, multimedia and therefore unique stage show. One thing is particularly special about this: the musicians from North Rhine-Westphalia present themselves both as a modern-sounding business card for the Federal Republic of Germany and as a top-class musical ambassador for the German Armed Forces - in uniform, of course.

In music, on the other hand, uniformity has no place in the Bundeswehr Big Band. All instrumentalists are hand-picked, first-class soloists in their fields and graduates of the most renowned art academies for modern light music. Whoever experiences a concert of the Big Band of the German Armed Forces does not only hear music in Big Band sound from the swing, rock and pop genres. Anyone who experiences a concert by the Bundeswehr Big Band will be taken into a world of show and light music, surprises and emotions, special effects, the tangible joy of playing and a world of "disappearing from everyday life".

It all started with Major Glenn Miller. Probably the most famous military musician of all time, he was the first US Army orchestra leader who, more than 75 years ago, to everyone's surprise, elicited sounds from his then military band that were characterized by swing, which was very popular in the USA at the time, and the old "march tradition". almost forgot. An absolutely incredible process! At that time, the music of the Glenn Miller Orchestra was by no means only enthusiastically received by the mostly young soldiers, but also experienced disciplinary measures “from above”. Nevertheless, it was a musical sensation, an absolute novelty in the history of music and military music. And so the triumphant advance of this formation and style could not be stopped and finally found its way into the German army.

In 1971, the then Minister of Defense and later Chancellor Helmut Schmidt commissioned the formation to be put together that was capable of creating a modern sound for a modern army. In the concerts, people should hear the hits of their time, the great classics of the past and the swing and jazz music that has always remained up to date. This musical concept, which was created more than 40 years ago, still enjoys great popularity and topicality today. For example, the President of the United States, the Federal President and the Pope have all tapped their feet or snapped their fingers to the groove of the Big Band of the German Armed Forces.

Since it was set up, the Bundeswehr Big Band has been playing without a fee for good reason. With the entrance fees of well over 20 million euros, people in need have been helped since day one.

In addition, the swing formation is always a welcome guest abroad: Moscow, New York, Oslo, Madrid, Cape Town or Rio de Janeiro - there is hardly a continent that is unknown or too far away for the Big Band of the German Armed Forces. The 24 professional musicians are also very familiar with the diplomatic, social or the simple dance floor and know what is expected of them. At the parliamentary evening in Berlin, at the Sports Ball in Wiesbaden or various ball events in Berlin or Bonn, there is always dance, show and entertainment music to suit the occasion. The support of German soldiers in the countries of operations is a matter of honor for the Big Band of the Bundeswehr and is just as much a part of the tour schedule as the regular musical support of the Olympic summer and winter games.

For a successful concert with the Big Band of the Bundeswehr, the work of many people in preparation and implementation must intertwine. So lays a small planning team

Tour schedules throughout Germany, abroad and in the countries where German soldiers are deployed. A technical crew of ten transports the more than 70 tons of material to the right place at the right time. A ten by six meter LED wall is just as much a part of it as the right show lighting, sound reinforcement, cameras, microphones, stage parts, instruments, the entire sound and technical support and much more.

In the past four decades, the Bundeswehr Big Band has achieved an exceptional reputation for show business, has maintained it and is continuously working to further consolidate and expand it.