Mit „And Friends“ (2017) präsentiert die SAP Big Band, die im Jahr 2016 ihr 20-jähriges Bestehen feiern konnte, ihr mittlerweile schon siebtes Studioalbum.

Bereits der Titel des Albums verweist auf die Gäste und Freunde, die in besonderer Weise mit der Band verbunden sind und das Album maßgeblich mitgestaltet haben. Namhafte Gesangsgrößen wie Marc Marshall, Janice Dixon, Nicole Metzger oder Viviane de Farias reihen sich ganz selbstverständlich neben hochkarätigen Solisten wie Steffen Weber, Konrad Hinsken, Stephan Kirsch und Cris Gavazzoni ein. Der international bekannte Jazztrompeter, Produzent und Bandleader Thomas Siffling hat nicht nur die Aufnahme geleitet, sondern auch selbst zu seinen Instrumenten gegriffen und dem Ganzen dadurch das letzte i-Tüpfelchen aufgesetzt.

Herausgekommen ist ein wunderbarer Mix hervorragender Big-Band-Musik, in der man die Homogenität der Gruppe fast schon greifen und natürlich hören kann.

Bekannte Songs wie Fever oder Feeling Good stehen ganz selbstverständlich neben Kompositionen wie Crazy Love und Take It To The Limit oder Jazzstandards wie Goodbye Pork Pie Hat und Blues In My Shoes.

Das Album bietet ein rundum gelungenes Hörerlebnis, und das nicht nur für Freunde des Big-Band-Jazz. SAP-Vorstandsmitglied und Chief Financial Officer Luka Mucic bringt es in den Liner Notes auf den Punkt: "This album feels like it has been recorded by a group of friends."

About friendship, much has been said. From the philosophers of ancient times to thinkers of the modern era, the attempts to define its nature are countless. And today, as the world is adapting to both the benefits and the challenges of the digital age, social media make it easier than ever to form new relationships and call someone a friend.

At its core, however, the characteristics of true friendship have always been the same. Friends share your happiness and lift your spirits when you are down. They allow you to be your real self, show your feelings,  and make mistakes. But there is more to it than that. Friends enjoy your company as you enjoy theirs. Ultimately, friendship is a source of happiness.

In that sense, the artists who sing and play with the SAP Big Band on this album are far more than guests. They are the friends that have been invited to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary.   

From the first tune, where Nicole Metzger's powerful vocals convincingly convey the notion of Feeling Good, to the burning Fever that soprano Janice Dixon ignites on the closing track, this album feels like it has been recorded by a group of friends. Baritone Marc Marshall delivers an unmistakably soulful rendition of Crazy Love, and Steffen Weber (tenor saxophone) explores the mournful depths of remembering a friend who passed away on Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. On a happier note, try not to tap your feet when Konrad Hinsken (piano), Stephan Kirsch (trombone), and bandleader Thomas Siffling (trumpet) join the band on Blues In My Shoes, and close your eyes when you listen to Corcovado to let Viviane de Farias (vocals) and Cris Gavazzoni (percussions) evoke the magic of a starry night in Rio de Janeiro.

It has been observed that when silence stretches comfortably between people, they must be real friends. While this may be true, now is not the time to be silent. Play this album in your homes and in your cars, on your stereos and your phones, with your families and friends, and play it loud while you sing along.

20 years of corporate big band jazz, delivered in the spirit of friendship – this is no small feat. I am proud of what the band has achieved and wish them every success for what lies ahead.

Luka Mucic

Member of the Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer of SAP SE