Jazz Articles about RIAS Big Band Berlin

RIAS Big Band Berlin: Presents Helmut Brandt

by Jack Bowers
August 1, 1999

Although the RIAS Big Band showcases saxophonist Helmut Brandt more as composer/arranger than soloist (he wrote eight of the ten selections, co–authored another and arranged them all), Brandt makes each of his three solo appearances (two on baritone, the other on bass clarinet) memorable. And when one looks at his resumé, the reason becomes abundantly clear — Brandt spent 37 years as a member of the RIAS Tanzorchester, for whom he wrote more than 1,300 arrangements before stepping aside in ...