The WDR (West Deutsche Rundfunk) Big Band visits the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild February 28th and March 1st with Bob Mintzer. Pianist in the band, Billy Test, is from Phillipsburg, Pa where he grew up watching Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and listening to the top drawer jazz of Johnny Costa, Bobby Rawsthorne, and Carl McVicker. Now Billy lives in Cologne, Germany where he composes and plays 250 concerts a year with the WDR Band. He talks about the German radio broadcasting system, working with Bob Mintzer, and working with his colleague John Goldsby, who just retired after playing bass for many years. John is married to Robin Meloy Goldsby, Chatham University graduate, pianist for the Excelsior Hotel, and the daughter of Bobby Rawsthorne. Bobby still plays the drums often for the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale. Billy suggest some recordings of his teacher Mulgrew Miller at William Paterson University where he studied both classical and jazz, finishing a degree summa cum laude in both. Then it was on to Manhattan School of Music for a Masters where he soaked in the New York state of mind. Billy recommends recordings from the WDR Big Band that you should listen to and updates us as an American in Germany looking at the political scene there now. The WDR Band also plays for the German edition of Sesame Street which Billy loves. It is a small part of the vast West Deutsche Rundfunk broadcasting empire which the government supports generously and fuels the jazz scene in Germany. Tickets are tight for the concerts but it would be worth standing. Pittsburgh is just one of three stops! See the WDR Big Band on Friday, February 28th at 7 pm, and Saturday, March 1st at 6 pm. Visit https://www.mcgjazz.org/ticketsandevents to learn more!