Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Musical Events Timeline : 1954
Les Paul commissions Ampex to build the first eight track tape recorder, at his own expense
KURT EDELHAGEN
Kurt Edelhagen was a major European big band leader throughout the 1950s, 1960s and early 70s.
Edelhagen was born in Herne, Germany. After studying clarinet and piano in Essen, he set up his multicultural big band, which over the years would include many jazz musicians who were well known in Europe, including Francy Boland (who would later set up his own), Ron Simmonds Charly Antolini, Jiggs Whigham, Claus Ogerman, Jimmy Deuchar, Duško Gojković, Rick Kiefer, Ronnie Stephenson, Gerd Dudek, Wilton Gaynair, Derek Humble, Shake Keane and Tubby Hayes.
Closely associated with the radio station Südwestfunk (SWF), in 1953 Edelhagen took on Caterina Valente as a singer for his big band, and together they recorded her first album that same year. In 1957 Popular singer Tony Sandler recorded several songs with his orchestra for the Polydor label. In 1957 Kurt Edelhagen moved to Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) in Cologne where he led the station's big band until his contract ran out in 1972.
His Radio Orchestra played at the opening ceremony of the 1972 Munich Olympics.
"Einmarsch der Nationen" (Entry of the Nations) was one of the longest medleys ever played by a Big Band and Edelhagen, together with his arrangers Dieter Reith, Jerry Van Rooyen and Peter Herbolzheimer received the "Bundesverdienstkreuz Erster Klasse" for the idea, the arrangements and the performance. The LP "Olympia Parade" reached the nbr 1 position in the German album charts and stayed there for several weeks..
DORIVAL CAYMMI
Dorival Caymmi (April 30, 1914, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil - August 16, 2008, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) was a prominent Brazilian songwriter and singer. This is one of his better known compositions.
MHO
Big Bands are back ! Recorded in 1959 for his album "Holiday in Brazil" this "That's what Bahia means" is no more than "a feast for the ears" played by the top musicians of the Edelhagen orchestra and fans of good orchestral and big band music will definitely appreciate the fabulous arrangement here.
During the late 1950s and early 60s Kurt Edelhagen and his Band were seen by most critics as the "Number One" European Big Band. Rightfully so, no doubt, with names such as Claus Ogermann, Francy Bolland, Horst Fischer, Jiggs Whigham, Werner Twardy and Ferdinand Povel appearing on the 'payment sheet'. Enjoy !
Musical Events Timeline : 1954
Les Paul commissions Ampex to build the first eight track tape recorder, at his own expense
KURT EDELHAGEN
Kurt Edelhagen was a major European big band leader throughout the 1950s, 1960s and early 70s.
Edelhagen was born in Herne, Germany. After studying clarinet and piano in Essen, he set up his multicultural big band, which over the years would include many jazz musicians who were well known in Europe, including Francy Boland (who would later set up his own), Ron Simmonds Charly Antolini, Jiggs Whigham, Claus Ogerman, Jimmy Deuchar, Duško Gojković, Rick Kiefer, Ronnie Stephenson, Gerd Dudek, Wilton Gaynair, Derek Humble, Shake Keane and Tubby Hayes.
Closely associated with the radio station Südwestfunk (SWF), in 1953 Edelhagen took on Caterina Valente as a singer for his big band, and together they recorded her first album that same year. In 1957 Popular singer Tony Sandler recorded several songs with his orchestra for the Polydor label. In 1957 Kurt Edelhagen moved to Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) in Cologne where he led the station's big band until his contract ran out in 1972.
His Radio Orchestra played at the opening ceremony of the 1972 Munich Olympics.
"Einmarsch der Nationen" (Entry of the Nations) was one of the longest medleys ever played by a Big Band and Edelhagen, together with his arrangers Dieter Reith, Jerry Van Rooyen and Peter Herbolzheimer received the "Bundesverdienstkreuz Erster Klasse" for the idea, the arrangements and the performance. The LP "Olympia Parade" reached the nbr 1 position in the German album charts and stayed there for several weeks..
DORIVAL CAYMMI
Dorival Caymmi (April 30, 1914, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil - August 16, 2008, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) was a prominent Brazilian songwriter and singer. This is one of his better known compositions.
MHO
Big Bands are back ! Recorded in 1959 for his album "Holiday in Brazil" this "That's what Bahia means" is no more than "a feast for the ears" played by the top musicians of the Edelhagen orchestra and fans of good orchestral and big band music will definitely appreciate the fabulous arrangement here.
During the late 1950s and early 60s Kurt Edelhagen and his Band were seen by most critics as the "Number One" European Big Band. Rightfully so, no doubt, with names such as Claus Ogermann, Francy Bolland, Horst Fischer, Jiggs Whigham, Werner Twardy and Ferdinand Povel appearing on the 'payment sheet'. Enjoy !
