07:00 pm
Luis Bonilla Conductor and Trombone
In 2025, the JM Jazz World Orchestra makes its Young Euro Classic debut under the artistic directorship of Luis Bonilla. Every year, the JM Jazz World Orchestra seeks out the world’s best rising jazz talents under the age of 26, bringing them together in an impressive ensemble mentored by world-famous jazz stars. The programme includes tailored arrangements reflecting the diversity and spirit of this unique ensemble. Be there when the next generation of rising jazz talents from all over the world lights up the stage at Berlin’s Konzerthaus!
They come from more than 15 countries and are younger than 26: the JM Jazz World Orchestra is the planet’s premier international youth jazz big band. Selected annually through a competitive global audition. Since its inception in 2007, the JM Jazz World Orchestra, which is part of the non-profit organization JM International, has toured annually, performing with renowned musicians such as Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Renée Manning, Jim Rotondi, Karl-Heinz Miklin, John Riley, Hector Martignon, Andy McKee, Alex Sipiagin, Dick Oatts, Famoudou Don Moye and Boris Kozlov. The orchestra has performed at numerous notable festivals and venues across Europe, including Jazz Middelheim (Belgium), the Montreux Jazz Festival (Montreux, CH), the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), the Kongsberg Jazz Festival (Norway), the Gaume Jazz Festival (Belgium) as well as the Liburnia Jazz Festival and the Jazz is Back Festival (both Croatia). In 2019, the orchestra recorded its first album, Jazz Pops / Pop Swings.
Luis Bonilla is completing his fourth season leading the JM Jazz World Orchestra. The trombonist, composer and bandleader, who was born in Costa Rica and grew up in California, was mentored by Lester Bowie and started his career as a trombonist in Bowie’s formation Brass Fantasy. He is also a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra under Arturo O’Farrill, the Mingus Big Band and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. With the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bonilla received a Grammy Award in 2009, and another with the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. His solo album Twilight of 2010 was widely acclaimed. Luis Bonilla has toured with luminaries such as Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Marc Anthony, La India, Mary J. Blige and, more recently, with Phil Collins during his concerts in Europe and Latin America. Apart from his work with young musicians at the JM Jazz World Orchestra, the musician also teaches at institutions such as the Manhattan School of Music and the New England Conservatory.