MO Big Band plays Monk

Last autumn, the Metropole Orkest Big Band honoured an amazing jazz legend during four concerts. In October, the Big Band serenated the legendary Thelonious Monk. In May 2018, they will once again breathe new life into Monks nowadays’ still valuable compositions during Jazzboz on May 25 and Rabobank Amersfoort Jazz on May 26.

The idea for the concerts originally came from Japanese conductor and composer Miho Hazama. She put emphasis on the fact that Monk has not only been an amazing pianist, but that he should be remembered for his unique and creative compositions. “He wrote very innovative music of simple melody with inventive harmonies. Most of my arrangements will be orchestration from Monk’s piano solo performance.”

Hazama is one of the few woman who led the MO musicians. “I don’t think that being a woman defines me as a conductor, at least ‘not purposely’. I think my identity is unique enough, and so I can’t help but showing it naturally. Precise to music form and hopefully colourful as well. Adding colours to music is always what I have in mind as a musician.”

For a long time, Miho’s wish was to work with the Metropole Orkest. “To me, the MO is the only professional jazz philharmonic orchestra in the world, that has a very sophisticated sound, and also one of a few orchestras that can deliver emotions through music/ groove very well. My ‘dream band’ for over 15 years.”