The Swingin’ Hermlins and Swing Dance Orchestra

Swing Dance Orchestra

A great moment in jazz: on 16 January 1938, a young man and his musicians took to the stage of the sold-out Carnegie Hall, visibly nervous. Benny Goodman had not wanted to give this concert. The famous patron John Hammond, whose sister Alice would later marry Benny Goodman, and some eager agents had persuaded him to do so. This was the first performance by a jazz band in the New York concert hall, where otherwise only classical music could be heard. In front of an audience of more than 2,000, Benny Goodman, dressed in a tailcoat, played the concert of his life. His big band had reached its zenith in those days, and Goodman would never have such a high-calibre line-up again. In addition to the orchestra, the trio and the quartet played – with Lionel Hampton on vibraphone and Teddy Wilson on piano. Martha Tilton sang »Loch Lomond« and »Bei mir bist du schoen« – Count Basie, Buck Clayton, Lester Young and other jazz musicians joined the Goodman band for a jam session on – »Honeysuckle Rose«. The unexpected enthusiasm of the rather conservative audience swept Benny Goodman and his band off their feet, lucky for posterity that John Hammond had the concert recorded. To this day, the album with the recordings of that evening in Carnegie Hall is one of the best-selling jazz productions ever and is reissued time and again. Even as a child, listening to these legendary recordings, Andrej Hermlin dreamed of a band like the one with which Benny Goodman celebrated his triumphs. Consequently, his next ambitious project was to re-perform the concert that made his idol Benny Goodman a legend. This performance is less about a faithful copy of the score and more about capturing the authentic atmosphere of that evening in Carnegie Hall. True-to-style suits, music stands, no electronic tricks; this is how the resurrection should succeed.

Swing Dance Orchestra

»Swing King« Andrej Hermlin and his big band embark on a journey to America in the 1930s, to the great era of a music that is currently experiencing a remarkable renaissance – swing! The repertoire includes numerous well-known but also rare original arrangements, melodies by the most famous orchestras of the swing era, such as Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. Of course, songs from their recently released album »Swing Is On Parade« are not to be missed. The Swing Dance Orchestra is authentic down to the last detail: the sound, the arrangements, the microphones and the desks, the instruments and the wardrobe all correspond to the American originals of the time.

Andrej Hermlin & his Swing Dance Orchestra

Stockholm Swing All Stars – Play the Jazz Hits

The coolest, most swinging, absolute best jazz songs from the past and in brand new arrangements, composed by and for the band. Some of these hits will resemble the originals – but Fly Me to the Moon may be presented as a ballad, and Summertime might be played as a lightning-fast bebop tune. So don’t count on things being just what you would expect, because that isn’t going to happen.Jazz hits form the foundation of this concert, but there are several not-to-be-missed songs that should have been hits themselves. Some of them will also be included in the programme.It will be swinging, beautiful and grotesque, and dig deep in the mire of the blues; it will sometimes be sweet and cute – and sometimes dark and dreary. But most of all, it will be fun!Some of Sweden’s foremost jazz musicians are welcomed on stage!Read more about Stockholm Swing All Stars (opens in a new window)

Metrocelli "Dance"

Four cellists from the Metropole Orkest, occasionally accompanied by drums and bass, create a full and soulful sound. Their album "Metrocelli" features orchestral pieces, pop songs, and jazz standards, including works by Daft Punk, Faithless, The Prodigy, and Stromae, taking listeners on an enjoyable musical journey.

Organ and dance

There are organ concerts, and then there are very special organ concerts. When palace organist Olivier Latry joins forces with Shin-Young Lee on the keys, the magnificent sound of the concert hall organ becomes an even more impressive musical event. This time, the program includes works that were not originally written for the organ, but their polyphony and orchestral colors create a unique effect on this instrument. "Le sacre du printemps" by Igor Stravinsky is one of these works. And even the famous "Sunrise" from Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloé" gains a special colorfulness on the organ. By invitation of the Dresden Philharmonic Concert as part of the Dresden Music Festival

The Count Basie Orchestra

The Count Basie Orchestra is one of jazz’s most iconic big bands and has continued to perform around the world, even 40 years after its founder, William “Count” Basie, passed away. Count Basie was born in 1904 and began his career as a pianist and organist. He soon started exploring his love for the blues and joined Benny Moten's orchestra before forming his own band in 1935 – The Count Basie Orchestra.This big band has been one of the foremost representatives of Kansas City swing and contributed significantly to the big band era. Basie encouraged his musicians to compose and arrange music, which contributed to the unique sound and enduring success. Among the jazz greats who worked with Basie are Lester Young, Billie Holiday, and Joe Williams.Since Basie's death in 1984, The Count Basie Orchestra has continued to perform under the leadership of Scotty Barnhart, with some members originally hired by Basie himself. The Count Basie Orchestra has been awarded 18 Grammy Awards and has performed for royalty as well as in numerous films and TV shows. The latest album, Basie Swings the Blues, won a Grammy in 2024. The Count Basie Orchestra remains a living symbol of jazz history.It is now exactly 20 years since The Count Basie Orchestra last visited Konserthuset Stockholm (November 2004).

Twelfth Night Concert and Dance

In the entertaining Epiphany Concert, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra is led by the British conductor John Wilson. He is an authority on film music and has reconstructed and arranged many classic soundtracks for concert settings. Since 1994, Wilson leads his own hand-picked orchestra, specializing in film and musicals, and performs annually at The Proms summer festival.The Twelfth Night Concert 2023 was a resounding success when British conductor John Wilson led the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in a program blending seductive film music with the best from the world of musicals. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we welcome him back in a programme featuring irresistible musical hits by the very best in the genre – Bernstein, Sondheim, Gershwin, and Rodgers & Hammerstein, among others.On vocals: the British actor and musical star Julian Ovenden. He has appeared in television series in both England and the USA and participated in numerous famous musical productions on Broadway in New York and in the West End in London. He has also performed on several occasions at Proms concerts alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra.The concert will be recorded by SVT and broadcast later the same day, Sunday 5 January 2025, with a repeat on Saturday 11 January 2025.***As traditional as the concert itself is the dance afterwards in the Grünewald Hall. This time with Laszlo Royale – the band, led by singer Malena Laszlo, that has provided entertainment at countless Nobel banquets!***Puff pastry roll with mushrooms and shaved pecorinoBouchée with crayfish Skagen, vendace roe, and dillCold poached salmon with dill mayonnaiseFrench potato salad with capers, spring onion, and a creamy dressingRomaine lettuce with pickled cucumber, feta cheese, spring onion, and dillTwo types of cheese – Taleggio and Cheddar, served with marmaladeBread, crispbread & whipped butterServed with a glass of wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic alternative.

Dutch Swing College Band

The Dutch Swing College Band, founded in 1945 and the most famous jazz orchestra in the Netherlands, presents a brand new programme full of musical highlights from the repertoire of Chris Barber (1930-2021).