Zurich Jazz Orchestra featuring Theo Bleckmann (voc)

Ed Partyka and Theo Bleckmann have worked together on several projects in Germany and Finland since 2007, and as Theo is the new jazz singing teacher at the ZHDK, a collaboration with the ZJO was an obvious choice. Originally this was supposed to happen last season, but unfortunate circumstances made a postponement necessary. Ed Partyka will arrange Theo's own compositions as well as a broad repertoire ranging from jazz standards to songs by Kate Bush for Theo's unique voice and combine them with the many interesting instrumental textures and sound colours of the Zurich Jazz Orchestra. A very special vocal jazz concert.

Theo Bleckmann is a multiple GRAMMY®-nominated singer, composer and ECM recording artist who has recorded more than 17 albums and collaborated with artists such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Sheila Jordan, Kneebody, Ben Monder, John Hollenbeck, Phil Kline, David Lang, Ulysses Owens, Bang on a Can All-Stars and, since 1994, most notably with Meredith Monk. Bleckmann was interviewed by Terry Gross on the NPR programme Fresh Air and appeared on the David Letterman Show with Laurie Anderson. He consistently tops the DownBeat polls, and in his home country of Germany he was honoured with the prestigious JAZZ ECHO from the German Phono Academy. Most recently, he released an album with the acclaimed brass quartet "The Westerlies" and toured Finland with the Oulu Symphony Orchestra and the UMO Jazz Big Band, where he presented his repertoire and his own compositions. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang wrote a monodrama for Theo Bleckmann, which was commissioned by the Japan Society and directed by legendary actor/director Yoshi Oida. The entire production was performed in Tokyo in February 2023. A recording of the play will be released shortly.