Tivolis Big Band

The big band of Tivoli, Copenhagen. Established in 1875 when one of Tivoli's restaurant-keepers decided to hire a band to entertain his customers, the band has existed ever since; during most of the years as a concert band performing from the garden's various pavilions. However, for the past 50 years the band's regular venue has been the Harmony Pavilion. In the early 1970's the band added big band music to its daily concerts, which was a popular decision with the public. For years the classical concert band book and the modern big band sound thrived side by side, but in 1996 Tivoli and the band decided to concentrate exclusively on a jazz repertoire. Since then the band has been called Tivoli's Big Band. The favorite repertoire is the classic arrangements from the books of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and other bands alternating with newer versions of well-known jazz standards and evergreens. Over the years the band also has played open air concerts with many famous acts including The Mills Brothers, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole and Gino Vanelli. Throughout the entire summer season Tivoli not only has its own big band, but also a symphony orchestra and a promenade orchestra, which makes it unique among the amusement parks of the world.