For over 30 years the Codarts Conservatory Big Band has been a leading ensemble in the Dutch jazz scene and serves as a vibrant flagship of the jazz department at Codarts Rotterdam. Under the inspired leadership of trombonist and bandleader Ilja Reijngoud, the big band consistently elevates the level of its young musicians to great heights. The ensemble has performed multiple times at the festival, including a memorable tribute to Wayne Shorter, which was part of a collaboration with the conservatories of Antwerp and Cologne. The big band offers students a professional platform to collaborate with world-class guest soloists, composers, and conductors. This year the big band will pay tribute to Quincy Jones, one of the greatest arrangers, producers, and musical visionaries in history. The Codarts Conservatory Big Band is not only a stage for emerging talent but also a powerful symbol of the future of jazz in Rotterdam – and far beyond.
