Read the interviews published in sonic and jazzpodium magazines!
Jiggs Whigham (leader of the BBC Radio Big Band in London and ex-leader of the RIAS Big Band in Berlin)
‘the music on this new recording ‘BERLIN COOKBOOK’ by the dietrich koch big band is wonderful! i’m deeply impressed with not only dietrich’s superb writing (both his compositions and the arrangements) but by the band. the ensemble sound is very good – intensity, shaping of phrases, dynamics, etc.), and the soloists are outstanding! this collection of diverse material – some pieces incorporating voice, some latin/fusion, and some ‘down home’ groove – is a welcome addition to the big band scene and very enjoyable listening, indeed!’
“A great variety of sounds, its richness of fine textures, profound solos and lots of good ideas in arranging details make the Berlin Cookbook of the Dietrich Koch Big Band a culinary pleasure. Music that does not lose tracks by covering too many styles, but which preserves identity in spite of its stylistic diversity. Tasty, hot, well-flavoured”
Tobias Böcker, jazzzeitung 1 / 2008
„Very nice sounding recording, with plenty of good writing and playing.“
Jim Snidero (Sax, Autor / New York City)
“Good things come to those who wait, a saying says. Refering to the first CD of Dietrich Koch`s big band the saying is not completely correct, because we had to wait 20 years for it, which is indeed a very long time. But those who have waited have received not only a good thing, but a very good thing! Dietrich Koch as a composer, arranger and saxophonist does not reinvent the sound of a modern jazz big band. You can hear his references to the tradition of bands like Buddy Rich’s, Thad Jones’ and Mel Lewis’. But still Dietrich Koch goes his own way, integrates rock-grooves as well as salsa, latin and blues. The 18-piece-band with soloists like Max Hacker, Gregoire Peters, Mark Wyand, Greg Bowen, Eddie Hayes, Ralf Zickerick or Andreas Weiser and last but not least Dietrich Koch himself is a prominent line-up of high-class musicians. […]. In spite of being a very long album of a duration of 80 minutes, you will never feel bored listening. The tunes are stylistically diverse and have been recorded on an extraordinary high artistic level. Rating: [extraordinary]“
Ulf Drechsel (Kulturauslese, RBB-Kulturradio)
“I do find Dietrich Koch’s arrangements and compositions so good, indeed, that I will propose to the management of the HR Radio Big Bandx to make a production with him.”
Jörg Achim Keller(Leader der HR-Bigband / Frankfurt)
“Extremely powerful shout chorusses interchange with inspired solos played by a long list of first-class musicians. Dietrich Koch shows his improvisational skills marked by technical perfection and a continuous flow of ideas. His remarkably creative arrangements form a very colourful and diverse repertory. Congratulations to Dietrich Koch for his big band CD debut.”
Jazzpodium 09/07
“Dietrich Koch celebrates fine, well-composed menues for gourmets: an independent Berlin touch in the big band scene with elegant, intelligent arrangements.”
Werner Stiefele in RONDO – Das Klassik- und Jazz-Magazin