The composer, arranger, trombonist and conductor Jörn Marcussen-Wulff has been appointed the new Artistic Director of the Bundesjazzorchester (Bujazzo). Together with Theresia Philipp, he will shape the musical direction of this renowned ensemble for young musicians, which is sponsored by the German Music Council, from January 2026.
Marcussen-Wulff, born in 1981, is a well-established figure on the German jazz scene. He lectures in composition, arrangement, jazz theory and big band at the Franz Liszt University of Music in Weimar. He is Artistic Director of the renowned professional big band ‘Fette Hupe’ as well as the Hamburg State Youth Jazz Orchestra. His music embodies the spirit of the times among European big band arrangers who break with convention and seek their own musical language and expression within the jazz orchestra format.
“I consider it a great honour to take on the artistic directorship of the Bundesjazzorchester alongside Theresia Philipp and to be able to help shape the future development of this exceptional ensemble. It is a great privilege for me to accompany these young people on part of their musical journey and to work with them within and on this special jazz orchestra,” says Marcussen-Wulff. “I hope that, with my experience and ideas, I will not only be able to support these young talents artistically, but also convey to them that, in my view, many other aspects – such as contemporary music education or ‘thinking outside the box’ – are integral to the identity of a professional musician.”
Marcussen-Wulff will take charge of his first phase as Artistic Director of the Bujazzo in autumn 2026. The selection panel was impressed by his concepts for the ensemble: “We are delighted to have secured Jörn Marcussen-Wulff, a creative and dedicated individual, as our Artistic Director. He is passionate about big band music and, together with Theresia Philipp, will provide fresh impetus that will strengthen the Bujazzo for the future. Our deepest thanks go to Niels Klein, who has played a decisive role in shaping the Bundesjazzorchester over the last 13 years,” says Henning Vetter, project manager of the Bundesjazzorchester.