Gramophone Allstars Big Band

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Image courtesy of Jamboree Jazz.

The Gramophone Allstars Big Band is one of the most solid and recognizable projects on today’s Black music scene. Their approach starts with 1960s Jamaican music (ska, rocksteady, and reggae) and expands into soul, jazz, and other African American musical languages, all while crafting a distinctive and carefully honed sonic identity.

The group was formed in the spring of 2008 and took a decisive turn when it evolved into a big band with Jazzmaica (2014), an acclaimed album that was even released in Japan and solidified their musical personality. Under the direction of saxophonist Genís Bou, the band combines orchestral precision, groove, and a clear festive spirit without losing musical depth.

With Maraca Soul (2017), they broadened their rhythmic palette by incorporating Caribbean sounds such as boogaloo and calypso. In the following years, they released several shorter works that reinforced their versatility: The Reel Influence, the single "Let’s Get It On" (a reinterpretation of Marvin Gaye), and the EP Love Letter (2021), always with meticulous attention to arrangements and collective pulse.

After more than 150 concerts as a big band, they returned in 2023 with Call Your Friends, a work that reaffirmed the project’s maturity and its ability to update musical traditions with a contemporary, danceable, and elegant perspective.

For more music events check our online events calendar.