This year, the WDR Big Band is once again touring NRW and presenting the current prizewinner, the Cologne musician Simon Oslender. The pianist, organist, keyboardist and composer convinced the jury with his "extraordinary artistic development, his international stage presence and his importance for the jazz scene in NRW". Oslender's services to the Hammond organ were particularly highlighted, which he made accessible to a wide audience with a new and stylistically open sound. Oslender worked early on with jazz greats such as Bill Evans and Wolfgang Haffner and several times with the WDR Big Band.

WDR Big Band feat. Simon Oslender | WDR Jazz Prize 2025

Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

The WDR Jazz Prize has been awarded for over 20 years to musicians who work or live in North Rhine-Westphalia. The WDR Big Band is a reliable partner when it comes to the practical implementation of the winners' compositions.

Ebertbad

The WDR Jazz Prize has been awarded for over 20 years to musicians who work or live in North Rhine-Westphalia. The WDR Big Band is a reliable partner when it comes to the practical implementation of the winners' compositions.
This year, the WDR Big Band is once again touring NRW and presenting the current prizewinner, the Cologne musician Simon Oslender. The pianist, organist, keyboardist and composer convinced the jury with his "extraordinary artistic development, his international stage presence and his importance for the jazz scene in NRW". Oslender's services to the Hammond organ were particularly highlighted, which he made accessible to a wide audience with a new and stylistically open sound. Oslender worked early on with jazz greats such as Bill Evans and Wolfgang Haffner and several times with the WDR Big Band.

Westphalian State Museum of Art & Cultural History

They met in 2010 at the Mannheim University of Music. Since then, the four jazz singers Juliette Brousset, Stephanie Neigel, Julia Pellegrini and Lisa Herbolzheimer have been the German-French vocal quartet Les Brünettes. With their stylistically diverse repertoire and sophisticated arrangements, they delight their fans across the country, not only a cappella, but also in collaboration with well-known instrumental ensembles. They are now guests of the WDR Big Band for the first time. Anyone who has ever seen or heard their version of the Burt Bacharach classic "I say a little prayer" will be able to look forward to an evening of concerts dedicated exclusively to the music of the great songwriter who died in February 2023.

Jörg Achim Keller

Events

Past events

May 24, 2025

WDR Big Band feat. Simon Oslender | WDR Jazz Prize 2025 · WDR Big Band

May 23, 2025

WDR Big Band feat. Simon Oslender | WDR Jazz Prize 2025 · WDR Big Band

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