ACT Big Band

Since its foundation, in 1978, ACT BIG BAND has become a real institution on the Belgian jazz scene.

Born as the result of an initiative of drummer Félix SIMTAINE, and under the musical direction of pianist and composer/arranger Michel HERR, this pureblood jazz big band is a sound machine of great precision.

Jean-Pol SCHROEDER wrote: “It is true that the work that he has done within his big band, is comparable to this of the assembling great masters in jazz history: Mingus, Ellington, Miles…”

ACT BIG BAND gathers some of the best soloists in the country, the majority of whom lead their own groups.

ACT BIG BAND plays many compositions by Belgian musicians, mainly :

Michel HERR (Toots Thielemans, WDR, etc)

Bert JORIS (Joe Haider/Mel Lewis Big Band)

and also :

Francy BOLAND (Clarke-Boland Big Band)

Jean WARLAND (WDR, Clarke-Boland)

Arnould MASSART (Avogadro, Maurane).

etc.

In 1986, the” Conseil de la Musique de la Communauté Française de Belgique” commissioned several new pieces for Act Big Band to the above-mentioned composers.

Several well-known musicians have been members of ACT BIG BAND or have played with it :

John RUOCCO, Guy CABAY, Toots THIELEMANS, Steve HOUBEN, Joe LOVANO, Bill FRISELL, Joe Lee WILSON, Jon EARDLEY.