In March 1993, the Flemish jazz musicians Frank Vaganée, Marc Godfroid and Serge Plume took the initiative to set up the “Brussels Jazz Orchestra†(BJO): now, twelve years later, the Orchestra can be proud of having achieved its original objectives. Moreover, the BJO, conducted by artistic director Frank Vaganée, has been able to develop into an international leading orchestra.
It is a tradition for the BJO to invite international jazz-artists. Dave Liebman (2004, 2003), Phil Woods (2003), Kenny Wheeler (2005, 2003), Tom Harrell (2003), Norma Winstone (2003), Maria Schneider (2005, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000), Wallace Roney (2002), Bill Holman (1999), Bob Mintzer (2001), Kenny Werner (2004, 2002, 2001,1999), Gustavo Bergalli (2002), Carlos Franzetti (2002) and Jean Warland (1997) are only a few of the artists who gave a live concert for the Flemish jazz-enthusiasts.
The BJO does not only have international ambitions, however. It also works in close conjunction with the Flemish jazz-scene: the Orchestra cooperates with the Flemish composers Bert Joris, Erwin Vann, Frank Vaganée, Michel Herr and Kris Defoort, and with Belgian soloists such as Bert Joris, Philip Catherine, Chris Joris and Toots Thielemans.
In 2004, the BJO was eight in the 52nd Annual Downbeat Critics Poll – category big band, and ranked first in the European Big Band category.
