Big band, full force
Big Band Grosuplje
Playing better since 1997/98. Or at least faster. 🙂
the conductor, remarkably composed
upcoming
When and where to find us
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6 Dec 2026
Big Band Grosuplje and Rok Ferengja
Big band
Big Band Grosuplje, Slovenia's own James Bond – Rok Ferengja – and local choirs in one evening. The programme is a one-of-a-kind blend of James Bond film themes and the greatest hits of Rok'n'Band!
Guests Rok Ferengja
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13 Dec 2026
BBG x Slon in sadež
Big band
An unlikely pairing: the full instrumental arsenal of Big Band Grosuplje against the razor-sharp, topical lyrics and comic satire of guest duo Slon in sadež. A programme that is easier to enjoy than to categorise.
Guests Slon in sadež
since 1997/98
History
Big Band Grosuplje is a classic big band that has been active since the 1997/98, when it was founded at the Grosuplje Music School by the renowned Slovenian musician Braco J. Doblekar together with the school’s then headmaster Franc Korbar. Since 2001 the orchestra has operated as an independent cultural association. Over three decades it has performed at leading venues in Slovenia and abroad, appeared on radio and television, and worked with a long list of distinguished Slovenian and international artists. The orchestra brings together experienced amateur and professional musicians, offering young musicians a space for artistic expression, new skills and experience, and the chance to work alongside established soloists. Beyond its concert activity, the orchestra regularly prepares themed programmes and educational workshops for musicians. Its current artistic director and conductor is Klemen Kotar.
In 2027 the orchestra marks thirty years — an international anniversary project is in preparation.
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summer 2025–present current
Klemen Kotar
second period
- 2026 — „A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin“ with soloist Tomaž Zevnik
- 2025 — Sinatra in Marezige with Blaž Vrbič and the Christmas and New Year concert with Manca Fekonja and Blaž Vrbič
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2024–2025
Guest conductors
Tadej Tomšič, Klara Lavriša, Gašper Kržmanc
- 2025 — concert with Gašper Kržmanc and „Images“ with Klara Lavriša and Žan Cesar
- 2024 — „Flying Start“ with Tadej Tomšič and a concert with Gašper Kržmanc
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2019–2023
Rudi Javornik
conductor and saxophonist
- 2023 — the 70th anniversary celebration of the Kekec kindergarten at the Brinje Sports Hall
- 2022 — a concert with Uroš Perić and The Pearlettes reopening the renovated hall of the Grosuplje Cultural Centre
- 2019 — Sinatra with Blaž Vrbič at Ljubljana Castle and the Plečnik Auditorium
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2012–2019
Klemen Kotar
first period
- 2018 — the Nishville Jazz Festival in Niš on 12 August: Ellington’s Far East Suite on the main stage
- 2017 — twenty years of the orchestra and „The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook“ for the centenary of her birth
- 2016 — a tour of Austria: Bruck an der Mur, Wiener Neustadt, Graz, Weiz, Knittelfeld and Klagenfurt
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2004–2011
Igor Lunder
conductor, guitarist and arranger
- 2011 — „Music Unites“ with American singer Gwen Hughes, supported by the U.S. Embassy
- 2009 — a concert with the HGM Jazz Orchestra Zagreb and American trumpeter John Thomas, the fourth in the tenth-anniversary series
- 2004 — „The Music of Glenn Miller and Count Basie“ marking the centenary of both
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1997/98–2003
Braco J. Doblekar
founder and first conductor
- 2003 — an international summer workshop with Rick Stitzel and a guest appearance in Germany
- 2003 — the central Statehood Day ceremony at Trg republike
- 2000 — Slovenian Athletes at Cankarjev dom, broadcast live on TVS2
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1997/98
Founded
Grosuplje Music School · Braco J. Doblekar and Franc Korbar
- Renamed Big Band Grosuplje in October 2001, registered as a cultural society on 9 November 2001 and joined ZKD Grosuplje
- Statehood Day ceremony at Pogačarjev trg in Ljubljana on 26 June 1998
- First solo concert in the Grosuplje Music School hall on 18 February 1998
from the archive
Gallery
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A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin, Mozaik kulture festival, Grosuplje Cultural Centre, 2026 — the full orchestra Photo: KD Big Band Grosuplje archive -
A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin, Mozaik kulture festival, Grosuplje Cultural Centre, 2026 — announcement from the stage Photo: KD Big Band Grosuplje archive -
A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin, Mozaik kulture festival, Grosuplje Cultural Centre, 2026 — winds in performance Photo: KD Big Band Grosuplje archive -
A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin, Mozaik kulture festival, Grosuplje Cultural Centre, 2026 — orchestra with conductor Photo: KD Big Band Grosuplje archive -
A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin, Mozaik kulture festival, Grosuplje Cultural Centre, 2026 — the orchestra in performance Photo: KD Big Band Grosuplje archive -
A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin, Mozaik kulture festival, Grosuplje Cultural Centre, 2026 — saxophone and brass sections Photo: KD Big Band Grosuplje archive
Photo: KD Big Band Grosuplje archive
recordings archive
Media
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L-O-V-E
Big Band Grosuplje
Soloists Peter Savizon (vocals)
Concert at Kulturni dom Grosuplje, 2018
Camera: Brane Petrovič, Gorazd Križanič · Audio: Klemen Kotar · Editing: Žan Pajek Arambašić
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Let There Be Love
Big Band Grosuplje
Soloists Peter Savizon (vocals)
Concert at Kulturni dom Grosuplje, 2018
Camera: Brane Petrovič, Gorazd Križanič · Audio: Klemen Kotar · Editing: Žan Pajek Arambašić
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Mona Lisa
Big Band Grosuplje Combo
Soloists Peter Savizon (vocals)
Concert at Kulturni dom Grosuplje, 2018
Camera: Brane Petrovič, Gorazd Križanič · Audio: Klemen Kotar · Editing: Žan Pajek Arambašić
get in touch
Contact
For organisers
A gala evening, festival or celebration? A big band adds sparkle to any event — with a repertoire spanning the greatest hits of the big band golden era, Slovenian popevka classics, Latin grooves and more demanding jazz literature, as a full orchestra or a tailored combo.
Join us
Do you play trombone, trumpet, saxophone, drums, double bass, guitar or piano? Do you sing? Interested in recording and live sound? We welcome new members to the big band and the youth ensemble, and offer technicians opportunities to learn and work with our equipment. You can also use this form to register for our educational events and workshops.