“The Stan Sulzmann Neon Orchestra is a cross-generational big band, re-convened for a series of concerts to celebrate Stan’s 70th birthday (on 30th November) and playing his own highly original and finely-crafted compositions and arrangements. Expect top class ensemble playing and top class solos too from revered veteran musicians like Henry Lowther and Pete Hurt, and from youngsters like Jonny Mansfield, Alex Munkand Josh Arcoleo.”
Helen Mayhew – Jazz FM
“Ravishing, delicious, powerful and direct…meticulously written, sometimes echoing the imaginative and much missed orchestra of Michael Gibbs’
The Guardian
In 2018, Stan Sulzmann will celebrate his 70th birthday with a series of concerts kindly supported by Arts Council England.
Stan will be composing new music and working on arrangements of some old favourites.
Stan’s interest in big band writing began when he started arranging pieces for the London Jazz Orchestra, LJO. This led to him celebrating his 50th birthday with a concert of his own music at the Vortex jazz club, followed by a tour of the UK including an appearance at the Purcell Room as part of the London Jazz Festival. The CD “Birthdays, Birthdays” documents this music and was recorded on Village Life with an all-star line-up including Kenny Wheeler, Julian Siegel, Henry Lowther, and Nigel Hitchcock.
Returning to the Purcell room, Stan’s current big band ‘Neon Orchestra’ celebrated his 65th Birthday as part of London Jazz Festival, 2014, and Stan was commissioned to write an original composition celebrating 21 years of the Festival. The Neon Orchestra has also performed at Ronnie Scotts, the CBSO Centre, Birmingham, and the Spice of Life.
Stan’s arrangements for big band are regularly played by college and university big bands, and are available for purchase by contacting him directly.