When AC/DC, Deep Purple, or the Rolling Stones appear on stage with trumpet, saxophone, and trombone, Jackpot is likely to be there. This Dresden-based cult orchestra, as they call themselves, has been playing a genre-defying mix since 1995: boogie, neo-swing, and showmanship ranging from Glenn Miller and Fats Domino to the classics of the seventies and eighties. Their irreverent approach to the songs is part of their repertoire.
There's real talent behind it. All the musicians have music college degrees and experience in rock, pop, and jazz. Founder and leader Michael Heiderich plays guitar and vocals. In earlier years, the band was also known as Bemme's Jackpot. Jürgen Heinzmann, a founding member of The Hotspurs, plays trumpet, while saxophone and trombone complete the ensemble, and keyboard, bass guitar, and drums provide the foundation.
Three programs showcase the range of styles. The Swing Party returns to the roots, to titles like "In the Mood," "Pennsylvania 65000," "Flat Foot Floogie," and "St. Louis Blues," which appear on the CD "Jackpot No. 5" alongside "Pinetop's Boogie" and "Boogie With The Firehorns." The Dancing Party caters to the dance floor. Finally, the Power Party transforms rock hits by AC/DC, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Toto, Bryan Adams, the Rolling Stones, and CCR into something new with sophisticated horn arrangements.
The band has recorded their music several times, including Jackpot No. 5, Swing Boogie & Roll (where In the Mood flows into a medley with Tutti Frutti), and Bigband Surrogat. Even this title plays with self-irony, as Jackpot is not a classic big band, but with trumpet, saxophone, and trombone, they often sound surprisingly full.
Jackpot's trademark includes flamboyant outfits. They have performed at the Elbhangfest and the Bärenzwinger in Dresden, at the Kudammfest and the Palais am Funkturm in Berlin, at the Dresden Film Nights, and at open-air parties from Braunschweig to Eisenhüttenstadt.
The band has a long history with the Dixieland Festival. Their 20th anniversary in 2015 coincided with a festival year full of milestone birthdays, and in 2022 Jackpot opened the first Heide-Dixieland festival on the Hofewiese in Langebrück.
