Two big bands on one stage – not one after the other, but next to each other and most of all with each other. And they are doing what they do best – swing, swing and more swing. “The World’s Biggest Big Band” is the extraordinary project for the 60th anniversary of the SWR Big Band, which opened the International Theaterhaus Jazztage Festival in Stuttgart. It was intended to represent a chorus of “Happy Birthday”, but in an entirely different way. From England, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and its leader Chris Dean was invited. The numbers are impressive: 8 trumpets, 8 trombones, 10 saxophones, 5 horns, 1 tuba, 1 percussionist, a double rhythm group and singer Angie Mills. That means 42 jazz musicians playing on April 21, 2011, on one stage. The power of the two bands is simply stunning, the way the musicians pass the ball back and forth, is simply delightful. They let you feel the music with your whole body. This is not just a concert, it is an event!