Joo Kraus and SWR Big Band celebrate a grand birthday concert in Ulm
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A anniversary evening with broad sound in the Ulm tent
When 17 professionals, a trumpet virtuoso, and two great anniversaries meet, it creates no ordinary concert evening, but a strong live experience: On Friday, May 29, 2026, Joo Kraus and the SWR Big Band will celebrate a joint birthday concert in the Ulm tent in Friedrichsau. The program features highlights from Grammy-nominated albums as well as new works by Joo. The evening starts at 8:00 PM, doors open at 7:30 PM; the event is unseated. Tickets cost 57 euros in advance, 59 euros at the box office. ([ulmerzelt.de](https://ulmerzelt.de/?mec-events=big-band-birthday-bash-60-jahre-joo-kraus-75-jahre-swr-big-band))
Joo Kraus: Timbres between jazz, soul and pop
Joo Kraus has been one of the defining German jazz trumpeters for many years. His official biography cites two Grammy nominations, five German Jazz Awards in gold, and the Echo Jazz award for best German trumpeter. His career spans from early stage years with Kraan to the groundbreaking duo Tab Two, and international projects with Omar Sosa, Paula Morelenbaum, and the SWR Big Band. This stylistic openness makes his stage presence so exciting: precise articulation, warm tone, and a sense of orchestrated tension. ([jookraus.com](https://www.jookraus.com/media/?utm_source=openai))
The SWR Big Band as a musical machine with soul
According to SWR, the SWR Big Band has been among the best big bands in the world for decades and has played with Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Astrud Gilberto, Chet Baker, Caterina Valente, and Arturo Sandoval. For the evening in Ulm, this ensemble brings exactly the mix of precision, power, and improvisational passion that makes big band concerts so electrifying. The anniversary marks not only the band's history but also the art of combining a great ensemble sound with individual flair. ([swr.de](https://www.swr.de/swrkultur/musik-jazz-und-pop/big-band/index.html?utm_source=openai))
Ulmer Zelt: Summer air, closeness, energy
The Ulmer Zelt is located in Friedrichsau at the Volksfestplatz between Ulm Messe and the Danube. On site, festival atmosphere meets relaxed open-air ambiance: it’s a short walk or bike ride from downtown, and tram line 1 goes to Donauhalle with about a ten-minute walk afterwards. For those driving, the organizer points to the signs directing to Gate 4; the large parking lot is currently no longer available. This makes getting there predictable and makes the concert evening more focused. ([ulmerzelt.de](https://ulmerzelt.de/?page_id=1189))
An evening full of groove, brilliance, and surprises
In the Ulmer Zelt, pop, soul, and soul pop merge with jazzy orchestration, buoyant brass sections, and that live dynamic that only a big band can unleash. The combination of Joo Kraus's unmistakable tone and the SWR Big Band's experience promises a concert experience that is both musically demanding and directly captivating. Those wishing to kick off summer in Ulm with sound, pulse, and audience atmosphere will find the ideal event here. ([ulmerzelt.de](https://ulmerzelt.de/?mec-events=big-band-birthday-bash-60-jahre-joo-kraus-75-jahre-swr-big-band))
Conclusion: This concert unites anniversary, virtuosity, and big band power into a special evening in Ulm. Anyone wanting to experience Joo Kraus and the SWR Big Band live should secure this date in the Ulmer Zelt early. ([ulmerzelt.de](https://ulmerzelt.de/?mec-events=big-band-birthday-bash-60-jahre-joo-kraus-75-jahre-swr-big-band))
Official channels of Joo Kraus:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joo_kraus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jookraus
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf43VqxEC6WixWlENRiW8LQ
- Spotify: No official profile found
- TikTok: No official profile found
