The Lucerne Jazz Orchestra was founded in 2007 and has established itself as one of Europe’s leading jazz orchestras. It has played more then 50 concerts in Switzerland and abroad, presenting new works by upcoming composers from all over Europe.
While one of the ensemble’s main strenghts lies in the band members’ impressive abilities both as soloists and composers, the Lucerne Jazz Orchestra is constantly seeking to broaden its scope by collaborating with reknown jazz composers and soloists. Thus, a collaboration with German saxophonist and composer Oliver Leicht resulted in a program for jazz orchestra, dance and electronics («Five movements to hear and see»), and together with clarinetist and composer Claudio Puntin the CD «Berge versetzen» was recorded and gained critical acclaim. Other guests so far include Hayden Chisholm, Nils Wogram, Ed Partyka, Ohad Talmor, Niels Klein, Gerd Hermann Ortler and Stefan Schultze. The canton and city of Lucerne honored the work of the Lucerne Jazz Orchestra with the «Werkbeitrag» 2010 (grant for the arts).