At long last! After extensive and meticulous planning we have succeeded in arranging for a concert event that is surely in a class of its own – a tribute to Bert Kaempfert and his music.

For this occasion the top-class musicians of → hr-Bigband will be directed by → Jiggs Whigham. For many years a soloist with Bert Kaempfert, Jiggs has agreed to act as musical director for the entire concert.

“It’s only possible to realize such an extraordinary project if each and everyone involved, the producer and the promoter are prepared not only to put heart and soul into it but have within themselves a deep-rooted feeling for this marvellous music. It goes without saying that every single person must be totally committed, for only then will we succeed in forging a link to those concerts of the ’70s and to Bert Kaempfert. Together with our great respect for the fabulous contribution he made to music during his lifetime and borne along by the sheer pleasure derived from bringing it about, we shall take great delight in celebrating this concert event, to which we cordially invite all of Bert Kaempfert’s many fans.” (Doris Kaempfert)

Though officially chief conductor of Hessischer Rundfunk’s big band, Jörg Achim Keller has taken upon himself the task of arranger for this unique event – a fact which serves to underscore the versatility of this innovative musician, a man who not only repeatedly takes on new challenges but carries them off in masterly fashion as well. What is more, in order to recreate the authentic and unmistakable sound of the Bert Kaempfert orchestra, the big band will be transformed into a large orchestral ensemble through the addition of strings and the singers of the → Berlin Voices.

Adding the finishing touch to this concert will be an array of special guests including, amongst others, the virtuoso instrumentalists who also performed as soloists with Bert Kaempfert in his day: → Ack van Rooyen (flugelhorn/trumpet), → Herb Geller (saxophone/flute), Jiggs Whigham (trombone) und → Ladi Geisler (bass guitar).

→ Sylvia Vrethammar, the eminently likeable and superb jazz singer from Sweden, was invited by Bert Kaempfert to appear as guest star at his concerts as from 1979, since she performed his compositions in just the way he had envisaged. And it was not difficult to persuade Sylvia to join us as vocalist again: the soft spot she has for Bert’s songs remains with her to the present day.

The much-loved pianist and entertainer → Joja Wendt will be performing as soloist at the concert grand, whilst → Marc Secara will prove that Bert Kaempfert’s music is both timeless and transcends all generations.

November 21, 2006 – Hamburg – CCH Saal 1
November 22, 2006 – Hannover – Kuppelsaal
November 23, 2006 – München – Philharmonie
November 25, 2006 – Stuttgart – Liederhalle
November 26, 2006 – Leipzig – Gewandhaus
November 27, 2006 – Berlin – Friedrichstadt-Palast

→ As a momento, we have put together a slide show for you and for all those who could not be with us this time.