The New Wind Jazz Orchestra (NWJO), founded in 2018 under the leadership of Lauri Kadalipp, is a 17-piece big band that offers its listeners an energetic concert experience. With the best Estonian jazz musicians on board, the ensemble's repertoire is demanding and wide-ranging, from the great classics to contemporary jazz. The orchestra’s goals are to perform and record the works of Estonian jazz composers, to play a professional big band repertoire on concert stages and thereby to grow the audience for big band music throughout Estonia.
The synergy and quality of the NWJO is reflected, among other things, in the fact that in 2023 it was awarded the title of Jazz Ensemble of the Year at the Estonian Jazz Awards.
In its six years of existence, the NWJO has shared the stage with renowned artists from all over the world, such as Antti Rissanen, Finland's best-known big band leader and trombonist, Wolf Kershcek, Germany's leading jazz orchestra conductor, and John Riley, a drummer with the world-famous American big band The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, to name a few. Of course, he has also played with many of Estonia's top musicians, including saxophonist Raul Sööt, pianist Kristjan Randalu, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
In collaboration with composer and pianist Kristjan Randalu, one of the most demanded Estonian jazz musicians in the world, NWJO released its debut album in autumn 2022. The nine-song studio album "Sisu" includes new big band arrangements of original works created by Randalu, as well as arrangements of well-known Estonian children songs. The album features Wolf Kerschek as conductor, Ingrid Jensen (Canada) on trumpet and Ben Monder (USA) on guitar.
"Sisu" has been warmly received by audiences and critics alike, and at the 2023 Estonian Music Awards Gala it was awarded the title of Jazz Album of the Year.
“This is a wonderful ensemble comprised of some of the most gifted young musicians in the country and they are doing great things to expand upon the definition of creative music making. Everyone should find an opportunity to hear them perform. Once you do, you will be uplifted by their beautiful musical spirit and passionate playing!”
Line-up:
Aleksander Paal – I alto saxophone
Allan Kaljaste – II alto saxophone
Markus Eermann – I tenor saxophone
Tobias Tammearu – II tenor saxophone
Martin Kuusk – baritone saxophone
Ingvar Leerimaa– I trombone
Artur Kiik – II trombone
Andrus Karjel – III trombone
Johannes Kiik – basstrombone
Vallo Mänd – I trumpet
Allan Järve – II trumpet
Jason Hunter – III trumpet
Samuel Jalakas – IV trumpet
Mihkel Mälgand – bass
Karl-Juhan Laanesaar – drums
Jaan Jaanson – guitar
Joel Remmel – piano
Lauri Kadalipp – artistic director
Ronja Soopan – manager
