The Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, a 17-member big band, was formed in 2002 in Cologne, Germany. The ensemble debuted on September 16, 2002, at the Kölner Stadtgarten and became a staple of the local jazz scene. Initially, the orchestra focused on providing opportunities for local composers and arrangers, including Frank Reinshagen and Jürgen Friedrich. Over time, they collaborated with international artists such as Darcy James Argue and John Hollenbeck. The band released their first album, La Banda Grande, in 2004 featuring Gabriel Pérez and David Liebman. Subsequent releases include Plays Slayer (2012) and Expat Echoes (2019). They have performed at major festivals including the North Sea Jazz Festival and Moers Festival. In 2019, the orchestra became financially supported by the Land Nordrhein-Westfalen as part of its ensemble funding program.
