WDR Big Band, John Goldsby, Bob Mintzer: ‘Big Band Bass’

Taking a sensational big band (the WDR Big Band) and adding some extraordinary bass in the hands of John Goldsby makes for a compelling album with ‘Big Band Bass’.

Released on 7 November 2025, Big Band Bass combines all that is expected and brilliant from the big band that is part of German public broadcaster Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) in Cologne with American bassist John Goldsby. This really is some of the finest big band players around today, adding in the phenomenal bass that has been part of their ensemble for three decades.

At the heart of this album are arrangements by Bob Mintzer’s arrangements of John Goldsby compositions that allow the bass to take a lead.

The WDR Big Band is really extraordinary, with a collection of flutes on the opening track - Vince Mondoza’s Sonatinita - floating beautifully above Goldsby’s bass and a little delicate latin percussion in an extended introduction before the ensemble joins in for a section and then a decisive ending.

It’s not just the big band ensemble that is on fire with Goldsby's bass, but there are some exceptional solos, including those from Karolina Strassmayer (alto sax), Ludwig Nuss (trombone), Johan Hörlén (alto sax), Ruud Breuls (trumpet) and, perhaps unsurprisingly, Mintzer himself. The latter sets light to The Baron’s Dilemma with his sax growing from a gorgeous sax soli section with additional tenor sax solos from Ben Fitzpatrick and Paul Heller.

Big Band Bass is Goldsby’s most personal project to date and he says: “Working with the WDR Big Band for 30 years has been a joy—and showcasing my original music on this album is a dream come true. With Bob [Mintzer] arranging and playing sax, and contributions from Vince Mendoza and other longtime friends, it felt like a family project.”