is reviving tradition of original hot-jazz and swing music of late 1920s till 1940s of the past centruy. It was initiated by Ladislav Fanzowitz, one of the best present Slovak pianists. The orchestra plays original swing music which takes you to another world, makes your blood boil, and brings you back in time to the era of elegance, glamour gowns, and hot parties.
FATS JAZZ BAND is authentic; Ladislav Fanzowitz transcribes carefully chosen contemporary tunes by ear to music scores. That’s why you have a unique opportunity to listen to the original arrangements as they were played by jazz legends in their time. Furthermore, FATS JAZZ BAND also uses reconstructed array of musical instruments, and vintage clothes. The whole impression of the orchestra fully grasps the period of music and style that FATS JAZZ BAND represents.
The band’s repertoire includes the most interesting pieces from the legends of American jazz music of 1930s and 1940s such as Thomas “Fats” Waller whose nick name was borrowed as the band’s title. However, FATS JAZZ BAND also interprets tunes from other remarkable jazz legends of this period such as Louis Armstrong, Teddy Wilson, Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Clarence Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa and many others.
Besides american repertoire, they have on their list also the best tangos and foxtrotts from Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Even though we could say it is anachronism, the orchestra’s presence evokes the vibrations of something unmistakably timeless. FATS JAZZ BAND takes an antiquated template and infuses it with the immediacy of the present. The main thing that gave music of this era its magic was spontaneity, which is undoubtedly retrieved by FATS JAZZ BAND.
The members of this band are professional musicians and singers active in the Slovak leading orchestras and big bands such as the Slovak Philharmonic, Gustav Brom Big Band, Matúš Jakabčic Big Band, Bratislava Hot Serenaders, CZ - SK Big Band, and Orchestra of Slovak National Theatre.
In 2012 FATS JAZZ BAND released debut CD album named "...IN FATS WALLER'S RHYTHM...", which consists of unique reconstructions of authentic recordings of legendary pianist, composer, singer and entertainer Thomas "Fats" Waller and his groups from years 1928 till 1943.
In 2014 the orchestra released second album named TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY and in 2016 the third album with nostalgic name THAT OLD FEELING, in which presents the best pieces from their current repertoire.
During the recording, the orchestra wanted to get as close as possible to an authentic sound. This is why no overdubbings were used, and the musicians played with old historical instruments to achieve soft and captivating color of the sound.ň
In November 2012 Fats Jazz Band won the price for the best collective stylish interpretation in the New Slovak Jazz Faces competition.
Even though Fats Jazz Band exists only four years, they raised big group ofsympathizers all around Europe. They perform regularly in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Denmark, France, Georgia, Croatia or Italy.
The members of FJB also revived long past tradition of Bratislava’s dancing evenings under the name Presburger swing evenings, which are visited by audience dressed in vintage dresses and rediscovering forgotten magic of society bon-ton and quality values.
