Following A Tan So (1993) and Maspoti Makandra (1999) comes the third FRA FRA BIG BAND (FFBB) CD: KROSBÉ (meaning: close by).
Founded in 1990, FFBB is the 18-member extended version of FRA FRA SOUND, whose rhythm section forms the heart of the larger ensemble. Over the years FFBB has evolved into an internationally acclaimed orchestra with a unique and compelling sound.
The musicians if FFBB have their roots in a.o. Suriname, the Antilles, the USA, Venezuela, Israel, Puerto Rico and The Netherlands. Concerts and tours with other artists - in particular reed players Courtney Pine and David Murray and trumpet player Lester Bowie, and collaborations with various South African musicians and composers - have influenced their style as well as the band members’ broad cultural backgrounds.
The best way to listen to FFBB is to hear them in concert, and the CD release Krosbé captures them in a live setting.

Special thanks to the musicians performing on this recording as well as Dennis Aalse, Christian Bourdon, Chee Ken Chee, Ben van den Dungen, Glenn Gaddum, T.S. Galloway, Anton Goudsmit, Kenrick Gunther, Russel “Konki” Halmeyer, Jim Hartog, Kenneth Helberg, Benjamin Herman, Denise Jannah, Tobias Klein, Gregory Kranenburg, Doug Lucas, Mark Milan, Tom Nicholas, David Rothchild, Patrick Sedoc, Ronald Snijders, Bob Stewart, Michael Varekamp and Harvey Wirht for their time, inspiration and musical contribution. Joost dr Groot, Patricia Jansen, Hans v.d. Laarse, Jetty Mathurin, Jurre Wieman and Petterik Wiggers for their support.
Further thanks to: in the UK: Jeff Gordon, Richard Henry, Courtney Pine, Kevin Robinson, Dennis Rollins, winston Rollins ans Steve Williamson for their inspiring support during the first years of Fra Fra Big Band.
In South Africa: Jasper Cook, Mvuzo Dimba, Feya Faku, Jonas Gwangwa, Moses Khumalo, Mike Makhalamele, Sidney Minisi, Oupa Monareng, Mooy Mrubata, Barney Rachbane, Mokhone Senkane, Marcus Wyatt.
In Mali: Djibril Camara, Toumani Diabaté, Keletigui Diabaté, Basekou Kouyaté.

Music Academy of Gauteng
Fra Fra Big Band is proud to be a contributor and prominent partner of the Music Academy of Gauteng in Daveyton (Benoni), South Africa, founded and led by Johnny Mekoa, trumpet player and professor. We would like to thank the MAG and its Youth Jazz Orchestra for educating and nurturing youngsters into the legacy of orchestral music.

Special treat
Get ready for a real special treat! This live recording features a big band that is one of a kind. Fra Fra Big Band is renowned for the high quality, energy and dynamics of its music. The band counts several in-house composers and arrangers. Their strongest mark however is their interesting way of blending grooves and rhythms from Surinam, the Caribbean and Africa with jazz. One gets caught in a musical whirlwind: there is no way you will not be fascinated by the intense playing and enthousiasme of this unique Big Band. Enjoy!!
Denise Jannah

Smiling faces
The world, and Holland in particular, is blessed with the sound of Fra Fra.
Fra Fra Big Band has been working over the globe for about fifteen years and has developed its own vocabulary in a predominantly mainstream big band scene. I have had the privilege of working in the band for several years and have been especially influenced by their positive, productive and creative way of working. To this day I have never seen anyone leave a gig without a smile on their face, that’s including the audience. Cheers guys!
Benjamin Herman