Joe Gallardo was born in Texas in 1939 and began learning piano as a child before discovering the trombone as his main instrument. He has lived mainly in Germany since 1978 and joined the NDR Big Band in 1991, where he was lead trombonist until 2008. He won a Grammy in 1976 for his composition “Amanecer.” He held a professorship at the Hamburg University of Music and was also instrumental in the development of the Schleswig Holstein Youth Jazz Orchestra. In the course of his remarkable career, he worked with all the international jazz greats: Stan Kenton, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee, Herbie Hancock, Nelson Riddle, Joe Henderson, Peter Herbolzheimer, Jack DeJohnette, and Dave Holland were just a few of them.

Trombonist Andreas Mittermayer, who is a friend of Joe's, initiated the collaboration with the Alexander Ehrenreich Big Band in 2019, and even at the age of 85, Joe is more active than ever, tirelessly composing and arranging for big bands as well as small groups.

It has now become a cherished tradition to visit Vienna every few years and perform a “best of” from his inexhaustible treasure trove of compositions together with Alexander Ehrenreich and his big band. Salsa and Latin jazz in big band format could tempt some people to book their Caribbean vacation right away during the cold days of February. Bring your family! (Press release)