Programs
Tribute to Al Jarreau
A vibrant tribute to the voice acrobat
Original arrangements by Jeff Baud for Big Band
An unclassifiable artist, Al Jarreau (1940–2017) remains one of the most singular and inspiring voices of 20th-century music. A true vocal chameleon, he effortlessly traversed genres—jazz, soul, funk, pop, R&B—leaving behind a instantly recognizable signature sound. His mastery of scat, sense of rhythm, warmth, and stage generosity have influenced multiple generations of listeners and musicians.
The program Tribute to Al Jarreau, arranged by Jeff Baud, celebrates this extraordinary personality through an original reinterpretation of his repertoire.
Designed for a big band, this show combines orchestral power and subtle arrangements, capturing both the singer’s infectious energy and harmonic sophistication. The arrangements honor his great hits—We’re in This Love Together, Boogie Down, Mornin’, and Agua de Beber—while reviving lesser-known tracks, revealing the richness and depth of his musical universe.
Each piece becomes a new conversation between voice and orchestra, a space for improvisation and creativity faithful to Jarreau’s free spirit, brought to life by our seasoned vocalists Joanne Gaillard and Ernie Odoom.
Between emotion, groove, and virtuosity, Tribute to Al Jarreau invites the audience to rediscover the legacy of a major artist, whose music continues to resonate as a hymn to joy, freedom, and connection.
Tribute to Stevie Wonder
The radiant universe of a legend, reimagined for Big Band
Original arrangements by Rémy Labbé
A flagship figure of soul and groove, Stevie Wonder has left an indelible mark on popular music. Songwriter, composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and visionary producer, he has built a prolific repertoire since the 1970s, combining unforgettable melodies, humanistic messages, and harmonic innovations.
His influence crosses genres: jazz musicians, pop stars, and artists worldwide continue to draw inspiration from his work.
With Tribute to Stevie Wonder, composer and arranger Rémy Labbé offers a bold and generous reinterpretation of the Motown master.
Designed for big band, this project blends the orchestral breadth of jazz with the rhythmic and emotional warmth of soul, creating a vibrant dialogue between heritage and modernity.
Famous hits like Superstition, I Wish, and Isn’t She Lovely sit alongside lesser-known tracks, revealing Stevie Wonder’s melodic and poetic richness. Each arrangement explores new colors, giving the big band an expressive playground both festive and refined.
Tribute to Stevie Wonder is both a tribute concert and a lively celebration of joy, optimism, and the timeless groove of this musical genius.
A radiant and unifying experience, where the big band becomes the ideal orchestral setting to revive the vibrancy of Stevie Wonder’s universe.
This program also exists in a symphonic version, combining symphony orchestra and big band.
This adaptation amplifies the emotional and harmonic richness of Stevie Wonder’s world: strings add lyricism and breadth, while the brass section retains the characteristic energy and groove of the big band.
An exceptional meeting of jazz, soul, and orchestral writing, opening Stevie Wonder’s music to a new breath, both spectacular and deeply expressive.
Gunhild Carling and Big Up’ Band
The contagious energy of swing and virtuosity
A true stage phenomenon, Gunhild Carling is a Swedish multi-instrumentalist, singer, dancer, and showwoman who has captivated international audiences with her charisma and extraordinary talent. A dazzling trumpeter, as well as trombonist, singer, bagpiper, and harmonica player, she embodies the spirit of 1930s jazz, reimagined with completely modern freedom and whimsy.
Her explosive stage presence, humor, virtuosity, and sense of spectacle make her a one-of-a-kind artist, capable of turning every concert into a celebration.
The Big Up’ Band joins this exceptional artist for a colorful program, blending swing standards, original arrangements, and inspired creations.
Passionate and collaborative, the orchestra becomes the perfect partner for Gunhild Carling: a big band that is precise, generous, and soulful, able to follow all the improvisations and flights of fancy of this inclassable artist.
Between infectious energy, jubilant virtuosity, and sincere emotion, Gunhild Carling & Big Up’ Band is a spectacular show where jazz returns to its essence: joy, spontaneity, and connection with the audience.
A festive journey through swing, blues, and fiery rhythms, carried by an artist who follows only one rule: shared enjoyment.