Wynton Century

The Philadelphia Orchestra has been called the Rolls Royce of orchestras. One of the so-called "Big Five" American orchestras, its many partisans assert that it is, and has been for over a century, the finest orchestra in the world.

Vienna Art Orchestra - European Songbook (1993) {GIG Records GIG 660 177}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 352 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 142 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 206 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1993 GIG Records | GIG 660 177
Jazz / Modern Big Band / Experimental Big Band / Progressive Jazz

In the jazz world, Vienna is about as far from New York's Lincoln Center as you can get. It follows that Mathias Rüegg's Vienna Art Orchestra has about as much in common with Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Center big band as a Sacher torte has with a Hostess Cup Cake; while they share some ingredients, the Austrian product satisfies on a more profound level. By the turn of the century, the Lincoln Center paradigm defined the jazz big band as a finished concept – locked into the past, serving mostly as a repertory ensemble. The VAO, on the other hand, while hardly ignoring traditional jazz verities, lives in the present and looks to the future.

Vienna Art Orchestra - Innocence of Clichés (1990) {2CD Amadeo ‎841 646-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 548 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 234 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 70 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1990 Amadeo | 841 646-2
Jazz / Modern Big Band / Experimental Big Band / Progressive Jazz

In the jazz world, Vienna is about as far from New York's Lincoln Center as you can get. It follows that Mathias Rüegg's Vienna Art Orchestra has about as much in common with Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Center big band as a Sacher torte has with a Hostess Cup Cake; while they share some ingredients, the Austrian product satisfies on a more profound level. By the turn of the century, the Lincoln Center paradigm defined the jazz big band as a finished concept – locked into the past, serving mostly as a repertory ensemble. The VAO, on the other hand, while hardly ignoring traditional jazz verities, lives in the present and looks to the future.

Kai Hansen formed Helloween in 1984, playing guitar and singing on the speed metal band's first four albums. He left in early 1989, however, and founded Gamma Ray with vocalist Ralf Scheepers (formerly with Tyran Pace). The duo intended to record a one-off project that Hansen originated while in Helloween, so they recruited bassist Uwe Wessel, drummer Matthias Burchardt, and several other musicians…

Vienna Art Orchestra - Duke Ellington's Sound of Love, Vol. 2 (2003) {EmArcy 0602498654194}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 417 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 142 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 40 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2003 EmArcy / Universal | 0602498654194
Jazz / Big Band / Experimental Big Band / Progressive Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz

In the jazz world, Vienna is about as far from New York's Lincoln Center as you can get. It follows that Mathias Rüegg's Vienna Art Orchestra has about as much in common with Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Center big band as a Sacher torte has with a Hostess Cup Cake; while they share some ingredients, the Austrian product satisfies on a more profound level. By the turn of the century, the Lincoln Center paradigm defined the jazz big band as a finished concept – locked into the past, serving mostly as a repertory ensemble. The VAO, on the other hand, while hardly ignoring traditional jazz verities, lives in the present and looks to the future.

Vienna Art Orchestra - Blues For Brahms (1989) {2CD Set Amadeo 839 105-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 575 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 238 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 53 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1989 Amadeo / PolyGram | 839 105-2
Jazz / Big Band / Experimental Big Band / Progressive Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz

In the jazz world, Vienna is about as far from New York's Lincoln Center as you can get. It follows that Mathias Rüegg's Vienna Art Orchestra has about as much in common with Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Center big band as a Sacher torte has with a Hostess Cup Cake; while they share some ingredients, the Austrian product satisfies on a more profound level. By the turn of the century, the Lincoln Center paradigm defined the jazz big band as a finished concept – locked into the past, serving mostly as a repertory ensemble.