The European Jazz Ensemble was a jazz group formed in 1977 by bassist Alfred "Ali" Haurand. The ensemble originated from a spontaneous quintet performance at the New Jazz Festival Moers, featuring musicians such as Gerd Dudek, Alan Skidmore, and Leszek Zadlo. This initial lineup evolved into various formations over the years, including collaborations with notable artists like Joachim Kühn and the Khan Family. The group released several albums, including At the Philharmonic Cologne (1989) and European Jazz Ensemble Meets the Khan Family (1992). They toured extensively across 27 countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States. Significant milestones included a 20th anniversary tour in 1996 and a 35th anniversary tour in 2011. Other notable albums included 25th Anniversary (2002) and 30th Anniversary Tour 2006 (2009). The ensemble disbanded in 2017 due to Haurand's illness.
