Surprise Big Band

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Surprise Big Band: Big Band Surprise

by Jack Bowers
April 1, 1999

I hardly knew what kind of surprise to expect from Germany’s Surprise Big Band, as director Peter Stöhr said in an accompanying note that “this is an amateur big band with no professionals (except me).” I am happy to report that the “surprise” was far more agreeable than anticipated. Stöhr’s companions from Haslach may be amateurs, but they play like professionals. Which isn’t that surprising, as I’ve often found German musicians to be among the world’s best when it comes ...