Concert Programs

KING OF SWING ORCHESTRA Anniversary · 30 Years “Burning for Swing”

AMERICAN SWING NIGHT
In the world-famous Benny Goodman sound

An electrifying journey through the musical world of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and other stars of the fascinating Swing Era.

Hot swing classics such as Sing, Sing, Sing · Bei Mir Bist Du Schön · In the Mood · Don’t Be That Way unfold their full orchestral splendor — accompanied by pointed moderation and irresistible big-band drive.
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AMERICAN SWING NIGHT

THE KING OF SWING:
ENGELBERT WROBEL plays the music of BENNY GOODMAN

“The King of Swing” is the flagship program of the KING OF SWING ORCHESTRA – a tribute to legendary clarinetist Benny Goodman, whose music brought jazz into the world’s great concert halls for the first time in the 1930s.

With Engelbert Wrobel, one of Europe’s most distinguished representatives of traditional hot swing, the orchestra brings this music back to the stage with energy, precision, and a level of authenticity that has become rare today.

In a large, nearly all-acoustic lineup, the ensemble—under the direction of Peter Fleischhauer—unfolds a highly energetic sound that is both stylistically informed by history and electrifyingly present.

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THE KING OF SWING

BABYLON SWING:
"NEW YORK meets BERLIN"

A THRILLING JOURNEY THROUGH TIME — from 1920s Harlem to the dance palaces of modern Berlin: pulsating, urban, and dramatic.
A concert show featuring lighting design, dance, vocals, and engaging narration that both informs and entertains.
A special highlight: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the virtuosic piano solo by Berthold Matschat.

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BABYLON SWING

SOLOISTS: KING OF SWING ORCHESTRA,dircetd by PETER FLEISCHHAUER

SOLOISTS:

~ DRUMS · KING OF SWING ORCHESTRA, Ltg. ~

With his electrifying drumming, bandleader Peter Fleischhauer repeatedly brings audiences to their feet in standing ovations.

“This Man Is On Fire”
— Bill Rogers, arranger for Frank Sinatra, about Peter Fleischhauer

“Drummer Peter Fleischhauer worked himself up into a state of drumming ecstasy.”
— Karlsruhe (D)

“His breathtaking drum solo prompted the audience to respond with spontaneous standing ovations.”

“Peter Fleischhauer on drums, with a fantastic, nuanced, fast-paced and powerful solo — as thrilling as Ginger Baker’s solos.”
— Wolfsburg (D)

~ VOCAL ~

Her voice goes straight to the heart and captivates with authentic interpretations. Even in the digital age, big-band swing remains an unmistakable sound — one that inevitably casts its magical spell over the audience.

For many years, Anna Larsen and the KING OF SWING ORCHESTRA have been celebrating this high art of live performance.

Seventeen outstanding musicians know exactly how to lay out the perfect musical carpet for their vocal soloist. Their precious collection of arrangements was crafted by top arrangers — above all Mr. Bill Rogers, musical companion, orchestrator, and arranger for Frank Sinatra.

WDR Cologne produced more than 50 titles with Anna Larsen & the KING OF SWING ORCHESTRA, which can still be heard time and again on WDR 4 in the popular program “Musik zum Träumen.”

~ The "BURNING CLARINET"~

“The Pope of Swing blows the clarinet… Goodman resurrected…” — Essen / Philharmonie (D)

“Clarinet soloist Engelbert Wrobel explored every tonal, technical, and virtuosic possibility right to the limit…” — Karlsruhe

~ PIANO ~

The pianist, composer, and arranger, who studied classical and jazz piano, is one of the musical cornerstones of the KING OF SWING ORCHESTRA.

In addition to his tailor-made arrangements for the orchestra, his outstanding piano playing reaches another highlight in the BABYLON SWING concert show, where he appears as piano soloist in George Gershwin’s breathtaking Rhapsody in Blue.

~ HOREOGRAPHIE & SOLO~TANZ ~

Choreographer, dancer, actress — “KOKO” (Kordula Kohlschmitt) unites all of this in one enchanting personality.

KOKO attended the Broadway Dance Center in New York and learned from some of the world’s finest choreographers at international dance workshops.

Together with her partner LUKAS BOE she celebrates the liberating rhythm of the concert experiences BABYLON SWING in thrilling choreography:

DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!