RTS Big Band

The ensemble Big Bend RTS was founded at 1948, named as The Entertainment Orchestra of Belgrade Radio, formed as a festival Orchestra. In the 1954 the string players department were separated from rest of the ensemble and since then our ensemble started with performances as a Big Bend.

For many year, this Orchestra was led by eminent conductors, composers and arrangers: Mladen Bobi Guteša, Vojislav Bubiša Simić, Zvonimir Skerl, Duško Gojković and Stjepko Gut.

During all these years, our Orchestra got so many prizes and awards. In 1960 our Orchestra won the 1st prize at international jazz festival in Jun Les Pins. After our first tour in 1957, our Orchestra had performances all over the World, in the most famous international jazz festivals in: Tel Aviv, Montreux, Marseille, Thessaloniki, and Munich. The Big Bend RTS had several performances for UNICEF in Belgrade, Paris and Geneva. Our performances were always successful, with great reviews.

The Big Bend RTS Orchestra had honor to perform with the greatest jazz stars such as: Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Johnny Griffin, Maynard Ferguson, Tony Scott, Jerome Richardson, Ernie Wilkins, Alvin Queen, Reggie Johnson, Eddie Henderson, Hank Mobley, Jon Hendricks, Roy Hargrove, Brad Leali, Diane Schuur, Don Menza, Steve Turre, Ronnie Cuber, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Chuck Findley, Bobby Shew, Ack Van Rooyen, Peter Herbolzheimer, Ed Thigpen, Philly Jo Jones, Sal Nistico, Nathan Davis, Don Byas, Larry Vuckovich, Lee Konitz, Heinz von Hermann, Kenny Drew, Aladár Pege, Vic Vogel, Karlheinz Miklin, Adrian Mears, Peter King, Christoph Lauer, Erling Kroner, Ilja Reijngoud, Bert Joris, Gregory Hutchinson, Jens Winter, Jesse Davis, John Fedchock, Andrea Tofanelli, Simon Rigter, Samuel Blaser,… as well as worldwide show biz stars: Ray Charles, Danny Kaye, Josephina Baker, Mireille Mathieu, Enrico Macias, Anni-Frid Lyngstad (ABBA) and others.

Our discography is huge, but few albums are worth of mention, such as:
“Džez orkestar Radio Beograda 1948-1978“; “Muzika moje mladosti“; Stjepko Gut & Big Bend RTS “Afro Balkanske skice“; “Vili Johans i Big Bend Radio Beograda“; “Big Bend Radio Beograda – 75 godina Radio Beograda“; “Karavan“, “Its time for Jazz“, “Sweet Love“; Duško Gojković & Big Bend RTS “Latin Haze“; Big Bend RTS “Balkan Soul“; Big bend RTS & Samuel Blaser “ Aquarelle“ Big Bend RTS “Mimo od Budve“….

Some of our former and present members became a worldwide famous and recognized, among them are: Mile Pavlović, Bora Roković, Duško Gojković, Lala Kovačev, Stjepko Gut.