Claudia Döffinger: Torso Ventuno

Torso Ventuno - the name, which sounds as elegant as it is promising in Italian, simply means body twenty-one. A fitting choice for a big band consisting of 21 musicians. The Italian version of the name not only sounds more cosmopolitan, but also more modern and hip, perhaps even more youthful.

But far more impressive than the name is the story behind the formation, whose heart and soul are the people and their music. The founder and creative director, Claudia Döffinger, wanted to create her own big band with which she could freely realise her musical visions and put together the line-up of her choice. Given Döffinger's impressive career, this is clearly a challenge. She spent her student years in Lucerne and Graz, currently lives in Cologne and her big band compositions have even found their way to Finland. When travelling, you meet many great people who you are reluctant to leave behind. It is precisely such travelling companions - mainly from Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands - who have now come together in Torso Ventuno.

Döffinger's music is inspired by classic big band legends such as Thad Jones and Bob Brookmeyer. In the piece Zlatorog, Maria Schneider is explicitly recognised as a formative source of inspiration. At the same time, Döffinger has a great affinity for hip-hop, electronic music and related musical styles. Her compositions not only contain powerful beats, but also typical elements and effects from these musical genres - albeit implemented instrumentally in an analogue way. Complexity and sophistication are not merely ends in themselves, but the expression of a contemporary musical language that surprises and inspires.

The demands on the musical versatility of this band are enormous. It is not enough to simply play the same old thing - openness and a willingness to experiment are required. So why go to the effort of bringing together artists from so many countries? The answer is simple: because this is the only way to create something truly unique.