BIG BAND RTS

RTS Music Production

The Big Band RTS was founded in 1954, by separating the brass ensemble from the existing Entertainment Orchestra of Radio Belgrade (1948). From the very beginning, it acted as a large jazz orchestra, in the formation of the Big Band.

For many years, the orchestra was led by eminent conductors, composers, and arrangers: Mladen Bobi Gutesa, Vojislav Bubisa Simic, Zvonimir Skerl, Dusko Gojkovic and Stjepko Gut.

Throughout its work and creation, the orchestra has received exceptional awards and recognitions. At the Jazz Festival in Juan-les-Pins in 1960, our ensemble won the first prize. After its first tour in 1957, the orchestra performed at world-famous festivals (Tel Aviv, Montreux, Marseille, Thessaloniki, Munich), at several UNICEF concerts (Belgrade, Paris, Geneva) and always with great success and very good praise.

Over the years, the world’s biggest names in jazz music have performed with the orchestra, 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,… and also stars from the world of show business such as: Ray Charles, Danny Kaye, Josephina Baker, Mireille Mathieu, Enrico Macias, Anni-Frid Lyngstad (ABBA) and others.

From the discography we would single out the studio albums:

“Džez orkestar Radio Beograda 1948-1978“; “Muzika moje mladosti“; Stjepko Gut & Big Band RTS “Afro Balkanske skice“; “Vili Johans & Big Band Radio Beograda“; “Big Band Radio Beograda – 75 godina Radio Beograda“; “Karavan“, “It’s time for Jazz“, “Sweet Love“; Dusko Gojkovic & Big Band RTS “Latin Haze“; Big Band RTS “Balkan Soul“; Big band RTS & Samuel Blaser “ Aquarelle“ Big Band RTS “Mimo od Budve“ etc.

The orchestra has produced a constellation of top soloists who are known and recognized around the world – Mile Pavlovic, Bora Rokovic, Dusko Gojkovic, Lala Kovacev, Stjepko Gut.