Jazz and singing for the New Year: Blue Note Big Band inspires Neustadt!

Jazz and singing for the New Year: Blue Note Big Band inspires Neustadt!

The Blue note Big Band brings momentum into the new year and invites all jazz friends to a special New Year's concert on January 1st, 2026 in the Saalbau. With the motto “Happy New Year, Neustadt!” The band will perform in a tried and tested manner and delight the guests with a mix of swing, jazz and vocal music. The big band was founded in 1986 under the direction of Bernd Gaudera, the former state music director of Rhineland-Palatinate, and is now one of the best amateur jazz orchestras in Germany rheinpfalz.de reported.

The band consists of over 20 active musicians who constantly refine their talent through live gigs, workshops and seminars. The numerous guest soloists who have been part of the band in the past include trumpeter Bobby Shew and saxophonist Tony Lakatos. The concerts in the Neustadter Saalbau have now achieved legendary status.

Unique voices and musical highlights

In 2025, the German Music Council named the human voice Instrument of the Year, which is particularly evident at the New Year's Concert. The vocal soloists Sarah Heinz and Simon Siener, who have been part of the band since the end of 2024 and 2020 respectively, will provide the vocal accents. In addition to a premiere duet between the two, there will also be instrumental tracks by greats like Count Basie and John Coltrane. Erik van Lier, an internationally renowned bass trombonist, conducts the concert and brings with him a wealth of experience that he has gained in his previous engagements with international ensembles and as a lecturer.

The music is all about the swing era, with modern arrangements with Latin American and funky grooves providing a breath of fresh air. The band not only wants to entertain with its program, but also convey the history of big band music in an exciting way. The event is accompanied by an informative moderation that provides interesting background information on the pieces played.

Admission, tickets and support

Entry to the concert begins at 6:00 p.m., while the concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are already available in advance, both online and at the box office. In addition to the two main soloists, guest stars such as Thomas Siffling (trumpet), Max Strauch (trombone) and Micha Jesske (drums) will also ensure a varied program. The concert is supported by the Sparkasse Rhein-Haardt and the cultural office of the city of Bad Dürkheim, which underlines the importance of this event for the region, as bluenotebigband.de emphasizes.

In addition to classic big band music, the highlight will also come on July 20, 2025, when the Blue note BIG BAND performs together with the Rosevalley Sisters in the Limburg monastery ruins. Dear jazz friends, this New Year's concert should definitely not be missed!