"Two Nations Under One Groove" promises fresh big band jazz from the Netherlands and Germany in the spirit of European cooperation: around 60 musicians from the two national youth jazz orchestras, the Nationaal Jeugd Jazz Orkest (NJJO) and the Bundesjazzorchester (Bujazzo), will meet from 15-20 September 2025 to rehearse together at the Landesmusikakademie NRW in Heek. The musical programme will be put together exclusively for this meeting by the two artistic directors Reinier Baas (NL) and Prof. Niels Klein (D). They have brought with them a selection of pieces that are characteristic of the work in each country. This will allow all musicians to familiarise themselves with the different working methods and styles of the two participating national jazz orchestras and to work specifically on sound and expression in newly mixed big bands.
The close cooperation between the two countries enables the musicians to expand their creative network across national borders - this is not only valuable for their own professional careers, but also for cultural exchange within Europe. The aim of the joint project is to promote this and strengthen young jazz in Europe.

Concerts:

19.09.2025 Heek, Landesmusikakademie
20.09.2025 Düsseldorf, Jazzschmiede
05.10.2025 Rotterdam, LantarenVenster