About Interfak Big Band(Dutch press text below: regularly updated; download the interfak press pack here ) The bigband grew out of an occasional ensemble that accompanied the revue-show of the organisation of engineering students in 1984. Since 1986, the ensemble started recruiting its members from musicians of all the university faculties, hence its name Interfak Big Band. It mainly performed at the local events such as student galas. In 1987, the IBB was officially founded as a non-profit organization and it was recognized as an ensemble of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. In collaboration with the Cultural Commission of the K.U.Leuven, it organizes its own annual concert since 1989. Each year it accompanies one of the top soloists among the Belgian jazz musicians. This way it invited a.o. Phil Abraham, Hugo Boogaerts, Marc Godfroid, Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Bert Joris, Kris Duerinckx, Theo Mertens, Jan Mues, Richard Rousselet, Frank Vaganée, Johan and Peter Vandendriessche, Erwin Vann, Sam Versweyveld, Pascal Schumacher and Pierre van Dormael. Each year the band plays several concerts in Louvain and other parts of Belgium. The band also went on several international concert-tours, for instance to Czechia and Germany in 1993, Poland in 1994 and again to Germany in 1996 and 1999. It participated to the Delft "International Jazz and Blues Student Festival" in 1993, to the "Oeuf du Jazz" bigband festival in Le Mans (FR) in 1998 and 2001, and to the "Haarlemmermeer Bigband Concours" in Hoofddorp (NL) in 2000. In 1999 we played in Washington DC and Falls Church, VA (USA), in 2001 in Santa Barbara, CA (USA), and in 2005 in San Diego, CA (USA) and in Yuma, AZ (USA). In 2006 we have been invited to the Alma Jazz - Volvo Music Festival in Bologna and in 2007 we visited Berlin. After visiting the West Coast of the USA for a couple of years, the IBB moved over to the East Coast in 2008, performing in Boston and Andover. In 2010, the IBB made a successful tour in Rio De Janeiro with Johan Verminnen. At this time, the band counts roughly 25 members. They are all students (graduates and undergraduates), alumni, or staff members of the K.U.Leuven. The band is also very proud to have each year several foreign guests from Europe and North-America among its members. The conductor of the band is Bart Preneel. The Interfak Big Band plays a very broad repertoire that varies from "classical" bigband pieces (Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller ...), over jazz standards (Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Horace Silver), towards contemporary music (Randy Brecker, Henri Mancini, Jaco Pastorius, Tower of Power, Josef Zaniwul, Gordon Goodwin). It also plays compositions by Bob Grietens, one of its members. About Interfak Dixieland BandA spin-off of the Interfak Big Band is the Interfak Dixieland Band, performing mainly early jazz, such as New Orleans and Dixieland. Because of its smaller size, this ensemble is excellently suited for playing at receptions and small parties. The Dixieland Band can count on years and years of experience. Booking the Interfak Dixieland BandThe Interfak Dixieland Band is experienced in playing on many kinds of occasions. From official openings and academic ceremonies to lighthearted and cordial meetings among friends. If you organise anything that falls in that broad category and you like our sound, do not hesitate to contact us (at least one month in advance). The Interfak Dixieland Band has a very large repertoire. We can play for more than 3 hours, taking an occasional break of course. You can investigate on how we sound and how we look in the media section. PracticalitiesIt is obvious that hiring a band also requires some preparations. We do not have exuberant demands. The things we do ask for can be found in the contract. (Contact us to receive a copy.) DutchInterfak Big Band |