CBB plays "Evanescence" (Maria Schneider)

Maria Schneider's debut as a leader is quite impressive. Her complex arrangements of her nine originals are most influenced by Gil Evans and Bob Brookmeyer, although her own musical personality shines through. (...)

Schneider's arrangements are often dense, a bit esoteric, and thought-provoking; this music may need several listens for one to grasp all that is going on.

- Scott Yanow

17 talented musicians, several cultures and nationalities, Maria Schneider’s “Evanescence“, Brookmeyer & Wheeler freshly and successfully passed and a collective passion for the music, those are the ingredients that lead trumpet player Dominic Pessl puts into a melting pot called “The Concept Big Band“.

Every pot sure needs a highly sensitive chef.

Johannes Oppel will lead the band through an enormous spectrum of dynamics and musical emotions and keep up the discipline in every fragile part.

Maria Schneider created an outstanding first footstep in 1994 within’ those recordings/compositions, which the “The Concept Big Band“ is now bringing to town.

- Nikolaus Holler