Working with the WDR Big Band has long been a dream of mine, and the opportunity to write new music for this legendary band is something very special for me. I've been writing for my own jazz orchestra in the UK for some time, but now I'm proud to present six brand new pieces for the WDR Big Band, which will also feature special guests Immy Churchill (vocals) and David Preston (guitar). Big band music was my first love and continues to be the focus of my work as an artist and composer. I draw inspiration from a wide variety of artists and genres, from big band greats like Kenny Wheeler, Maria Schneider, Nikki Iles and others, to groovy rock music, upbeat "folky" tunes, classical music, singer-songwriter music and much more. The program we will perform together includes some of my existing big band pieces that reflect all these diverse influences, but I hope to create something completely new with the new songs written for the WDR Big Band. This new music is driven by the intention to tell a story and take the listener on a journey through the music. The influences as a jazz musician will probably show in the harmonic complexity of the music, but above all I hope to give the listeners a strong sense of melody and line, resulting in long format, through-composed works that should highlight the many brilliant soloists both as guests and from the ranks of the WDR Big Band. I am very much looking forward to it. EMMA RAWICZ