History

1997/98–2003

Braco J. Doblekar

founder and first conductor

The orchestra is formed at the initiative of Franc Korbar, headmaster of the Grosuplje Music School, entirely with young musicians from the Grosuplje area. Within six years it grows from a school ensemble into an independent cultural association with regular television appearances.

1. 1997/98

   Founded at the Grosuplje Music School. The first solo concert takes place in the school hall on 18 February 1998, followed on 26 June 1998 by the Statehood Day ceremony at Pogačarjev trg in Ljubljana.

2. 1998

   The first summer workshop in Fiesa. The tradition continues: Čatež 1999, Fiesa 2000–01, Kranjska Gora 2004–06, Kobarid 2007.

3. 1999

   On 21 December, the 25th anniversary of the Grosuplje Music School with Eva Sršen and Janez Bončina - Benč.

4. 2000

   On 21 February, an hour-long concert at the Gajo Jazz Club, recorded by TV Slovenija. On 22 December, Slovenian Athletes 2000 at Cankarjev dom, broadcast live on TVS2.

5. 2001

   Zidak dobre volje broadcast live on TVS1, and a recording session at Studio 14 of Radio Slovenija. In October the ensemble is renamed from Big Band GŠ Grosuplje to Big Band Grosuplje and registered as a cultural association (officially entered on 9 November 2001), joining ZKD Grosuplje. A concert at Cankarjev dom marks ten years of the Slovenian football league; December brings Athlete of the Year on TVS2 and a solo concert at Prešernov trg.

6. 2002

   Launch events for the Slovenian editions of Windows XP and Office XP at Kolosej, a summer Frank Sinatra programme with Tulio Furlanič along the coast, Glasbena ogrlica on TVS, and Athlete of the Year with Irena Vidic.

7. 2003

   On 24 June, the central Statehood Day ceremony at Trg republike (TVS); on 24 July, Braco Doblekar receives the Golden Emblem of the Municipality of Grosuplje. Also an international summer workshop with Rick Stitzel (USA), a guest appearance in Hirschaid, Germany, Microsoft’s NT conference in Portorož, and the closing ceremony of the Slovenian Film Festival with arrangements by Lojze Krajnčan and guest singer Cita Galič.

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2004–2011

Igor Lunder

conductor, guitarist and arranger

At the end of 2003 the association appoints new leadership and Igor Lunder takes the baton. The period brings a series of themed projects, international guests, and a youth ensemble as the first development path for young musicians.

1. 2004

   A CD recording session, the 30th anniversary of the Grosuplje Music School, co-organisation of a workshop with The Kelly Johnson Quartet supported by the U.S. Embassy, and the project „The Music of Glenn Miller and Count Basie“ marking the centenary of both; solo concert on 14 October.

2. 2005

   Collaboration with the Corona male choir, the opening of the Atlantis water park, and the 60th anniversary of Mladinska knjiga with the Levstik Awards in the Gallus Hall of Cankarjev dom. October brings „A Tribute to Frank Sinatra“ for the 90th anniversary of his birth with Oto Pestner and Adam Klemm; in December, the St Nicholas charity concert on TVS.

3. 2006

   Concerts with vibraphonists Boško Petrović and Vid Jamnik including a public recording, the big band festival in Bjelovar (Croatia), a summer workshop led by Dr Sigi Feigl (Austria), an autumn concert with Nina Pušlar, and the founding of the youth ensemble BiBa.

4. 2007

   The charity event „The Golden Key of Grosuplje“ with Alenka Godec, Nina Pušlar and Nuša Derenda, five years of City Park with Oto Pestner, Elda Viler, Anika Horvat and Pepel in kri, a jazz concert and public recording at Studio 14 with Davor Križić and Saša Nestorović, a concert with the American Western Jazz Quartet, the 2nd national big band meeting in Krško, and an autumn tribute to Jože Privšek.

5. 2008

   The orchestra’s tenth anniversary and the concert „American Jazz History“.

6. 2010–2011

   Two quieter years: taking part in the 50th anniversary of Jazz Festival Bled, and the project „Music Unites“ with American singer Gwen Hughes, supported by the U.S. Embassy.

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2012–2019

mag. Klemen Kotar

first period

In September 2012 Klemen Kotar becomes conductor and artistic director. A series of themed programmes follows — the ones the orchestra is still known for — along with its first festival appearance abroad.

1. 2012

   Concerts with Prifarski muzikanti and jazz education workshops. Klemen Kotar takes the baton in September, and the year closes with a New Year concert with Nina Pušlar.

2. 2013

   The Frank Sinatra programme „A Swingin’ Affair“ with Blaž Vrbič, supported by the U.S. Embassy, and a July performance for U.S. Independence Day at the National Gallery.

3. 2014

   A New Year concert of Gordon Goodwin’s music — the orchestra’s first Goodwin programme — with guests Irena Vidic and Tomaž Zevnik.

4. 2015

   On 2 July, „Songs for Swingin’ Lovers“ (Sinatra and Bennett) for U.S. Independence Day at Križanke; „Ellingtonia“ on 1 December at Španski borci and on 19 December at KD Grosuplje; a tour with Prifarski muzikanti including two concerts at Cankarjev dom; and a concert with Lado Leskovar at the Festival Hall.

5. 2016

   A January–February tour of Austria (Bruck an der Mur, Wiener Neustadt, Graz – Stefaniesaal, Weiz, Knittelfeld, Klagenfurt), concerts in Nova Gorica and Rogaška Slatina, and „Jazz in the Coffin“ with the music of Jeff Coffin on 23 December.

6. 2017

   „The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook“ for the centenary of her birth with Ana Čop: 20 May at KD Grosuplje, 18 August at Jazzinty Novo mesto, 24 August in Idrija. On 29 June, U.S. Independence Day at the Festival Hall; the orchestra’s twentieth anniversary on 15 September at KD Grosuplje and 7 October at Španski borci; and „Crazy Christmas“ with Boštjan Gombač and Gordon Goodwin’s Christmas arrangements on 22 December.

7. 2018

   On 2 February, „Help! A Beatles Tribute“ with the BBG combo, and in spring a Buddy Rich programme. In September, the Nishville Jazz Festival in Niš (Serbia): Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite on the main Earth & Sky stage, praised by critics Davor Hrvoj and Saša Drach.

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2019–2022

Rudi Javornik

conductor and saxophonist

The period is marked by the repertoire of the great swing orchestras and by two covid years, when combo appearances take the place of full orchestral concerts.

1. 2019

   Sinatra with Blaž Vrbič in Grosuplje, at Ljubljana Castle, at the Plečnik Auditorium and at ČinČin; in December, a Count Basie and Diane Schuur programme with guest Zanchinni.

2. 2020–2021

   The covid period: occasional combo appearances at openings and protocol events, and Sinatra in Portorož.

3. 2022

   A concert with Uroš Perič, Marezijazz with a Jeff Coffin programme, and Sinatra in Velenje. In December, a Charles Mingus programme with Nina Strnad and Klemen Kotar, who returns as conductor.

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2022–danes

mag. Klemen Kotar

second period

Kotar returns to the conductor’s stand in December 2022. The orchestra continues with themed programmes, international collaborations and workshops for musicians.

1. 2023

   Sinatra at Ljubljana Castle and at Krka, „Grosuplje in Autumn“ with Nina Strnad, 70 years of the Brinje kindergarten, and a New Year concert with Jure Pukl, Lara Grbić and Maruša Kos.

2. 2024

   „Flying Start“ with Tadej Tomšič and guests Petra Vidmar, Erik Cebokli and Žiga Kozar; the combo at a U.S. Embassy event.

3. 2025

   Concerts with Gašper Kržmanc, Sinatra in Marezige, „Images“ with Klara Lavriša and Žan Cesar, and the traditional Christmas and New Year concert with Manca Fekonja and Blaž Vrbič.

4. 2026

   „A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin“ with soloist Tomaž Zevnik: in May at the JSKD festival in Grosuplje, on 5 June at the Kazina Jazz Club in Ljubljana, and on 10 July at MarezziJazz. In August, a concert with the HGM Jazz Orchestra Zagreb and American trumpeter John Thomas; in October, an arranging workshop with Lojze Krajnčan, „Grosuplje in Autumn“ with Rok Ferengja and choirs, and BBG x Slon in sadež.

2027

Thirty years

In 2027 the orchestra marks thirty years — an international anniversary project is in preparation.