Euroradio and France Musique are proud to announce that the talented young French trumpeter, composer and arranger Airelle Besson will lead the line-up of the 14 instruments/musicians in this year's Euroradio Jazz Orchestra (EJO). This annual project showcases young artists submitted by EBU Radio organizations, who rehearse and then perform concerts on tour under a well-known jazz figure.

This year's tour, organized by Radio France from 11 to 14 November, will take the EJO to Paris and Coutances (Nomandy), as well as jazz festivals in Nevers (D'Jazz Nevers) and Strasbourg (Jazzdor). One of the concerts will be available in MUS to EBU radio organizations.

Aside from herself, Airelle Besson has chosen the following line-up for this year's EJO, which also allows each musician to double up on related instruments: trumpet, trombone, horn, flute, clarinet, two saxophones, piano, guitar, vibraphone, double bass, drums and vocals.

"I am thrilled to work with the orchestra and discover all the musicians selected by European radio broadcasters," said Ms. Besson. "It will be a week rich in experiences, in getting to know each other and in European collaboration. I can't wait for us to play together! It's a big first for me to compose a repertory for a group of musicians whom I don't yet know. I am just so grateful to Radio France, to Euroradio Members and to Alex Dutilh for the confidence that they have shown in me for this unique project."

Winner of such prestigious awards as the Django Reinhardt Prize by the French Jazz Academy and Jazz Revelation of the Year at the Victoires du Jazz, the multi-talented Airelle Besson is currently artist in residence at the "Jazz sous les Pommiers" Festival in Coutances. Her recent quartet project with Isabel Sörling (vocals), Benjamin Moussay (keyboards) and Fabrice Moreau (drums) has already caught the public eye, and their album "Radio One" was released last year to public and critical acclaim.

A graduate of the Paris Conservatory, Airelle Besson trained with Wynton Marsalis, Pierre Gillet and Kato Havas. She is highly sought after on the European jazz scene as a sidewoman and guest, having collaborated with such stars as Carla Bley, Michel Portal, Daniel Humair, Rhoda Scott and Ibrahim Maalouf, and has featured on some 70 CDs. She is also well known as the author of around 100 works for musical forces ranging from duo to orchestra, and was recently commissioned to write two pieces for the European Trumpet Competition in Alençon.

Every year, the Euroradio Jazz Producers put together a European jazz big band under the name of the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra (EJO), a project that can trace its roots back to 1965. Each EBU Member may send one musician under age 30 to perform in public with the EJO, with two Euroradio Public Jazz Concerts organized by the host broadcaster. One concert is always recorded by the EBU host broadcaster, who is responsible for the rehearsals as well as its logistical and promotional planning.