The hr-Bigband is widely regarded as one of the world’s best bands of its kind. Rooted in jazz, the band incorporates a wide range of styles and genres. The number of awards they have won in the last five years is testament to this: five Grammy nominations, two Echo Jazz awards and several German Record Critics’ Awards.

The hr-Bigband brings together 17 exceptional musicians who are widely respected not only as soloists, but also as ensemble players. Daily rehearsals and concerts, combined with the highest artistic standards, have forged them into an ensemble that meets any challenge with confidence.

The hr-Bigband pushes the boundaries of contemporary jazz, transcending stylistic limitations when developing new projects with folk musicians, pop stars, and renowned contemporary composers. This does not mean that they do not also keep the tradition of orchestral jazz alive. This is evident in their repertoire, which ranges from Jelly Roll Morton and Duke Ellington to Gil Evans and Peter Herbolzheimer. Collaborations with international guests are central to their work. The hr-Bigband regularly invites the greats of the jazz and broader music scene to Hesse to perform orchestral versions of their music. Almost all of their projects feature newly arranged or composed music. To this end, the hr-Bigband works with a number of top-class arrangers and conductors – most notably with Darcy James Argue, their Composer in Residence since 2024.

Promoting young talent is another one of their key commitments. Through school tours, concerts for school classes and families, and opportunities to sit in on rehearsals, the hr-Bigband gives young people a first-hand insight into music making and encourages them to pursue their own artistic endeavours. Since 2022, the hr-Bigband has also collaborated closely with the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts as part of the »MA Bigband« degree programme, the only one of its kind in Germany.