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Presidents

Since 2012 Chris Walden

Jiggs Whigham 2006 - 2012

Jiggs Whigham is an outstanding jazz celebrity and is considered to be one of the leading jazz trombone players.

Wolfgang Diefenbach and Jiggs Whigham have collaborated since the founding days of the Hessian LJJO. Jiggs Whigham participated in the band's first workshop session and was a soloist in the first concert, which took place in 1985. In the following years, he appeared as guest soloist at large concert events of the LJJO on many occasions and was engaged as instructor during orchestra workshop sessions. He also took part in the overwhelming stage appearances at the Sydney Domain Park Jazz Festival.

Jiggs Whigham can be heard as soloist in T-Time on the LJJO CD Kicks and Sticks. On the live CD Celebration he features in two titles: Buckeye blues and I'd be serious about the blues, playing on the highest artistic level and giving the titles the benefit of his special artistic quality.

Albert Mangelsdorff 1995 - 2005

The legendary trombone player Albert Mangelsdorff was the internationally best known and one of the most innovative German jazz musicians. All his life, he took great efforts to support talented young musicians and the LJJO in particular. For these young musicians, the joint CD productions and live concerts were an immense challenge and at the same time a great encouragement to master his music.

The LJJO together with Albert Mangelsdorff can be heard on the CDs Celebration and Touch of Lips. On the occasion of the LJJO's 10th anniversary, in 1995, he arranged and played a title of his own, which can be found on the live CD Celebration along with other recordings of the gala concert. His Blues Variations on the CD Touch of Lips, which was produced in 2001, give lasting evidence of his unforgotten dedication to support upcoming young musicians.

Bill Ramsey 1985 - 1995

Bill Ramsey is one of the most profiled jazz and blues vocalists. For ten years he worked tirelessly on an honorary basis for the LJJO, working hard and full of idealism for the benefit of young talented jazz musicians. In 1985 he proclaimed that the LJJO had reached a nearly professional standard after only one workshop session, and in the same year he played as a soloist with the orchestra in its second concert. Bill Ramsey performed with the LJJO in a variety of ambitious concert events and had the idea for the programme Big Band & Bill - Live Jazz. These live programmes with the LJJO, Bill Ramsey, Debbie Cameron and Silvia Droste were broadcast on German TV (ZDF and 3Sat).

Bill Ramsey also performed as soloist with the LJJO on the CD productions Kicks and Sticks and Celebration. The bluesy, floating, rhythmical sound of his voice was integrated by the musicians into a colourful, swinging sound pattern. The experience of the old hand and the spontaneity of the young musicians harmonise in an absolutely flawless manner.