Rooted in jazz but open to constant change, the Samo Benko Orchestra is a modular ensemble built around composer and bandleader Samo Benko. Over the past year, the group has been performing music from his debut record 12 Degree Coast, gradually reshaping the material on stage and pushing it into new territories with each concert.
The project thrives on flexibility: the lineup can shift from show to show, keeping every performance slightly unpredictable. What stays constant is Benko’s presence and a commitment to precise, expressive musicianship. Whether tight and rhythmic or spacious and exploratory, the band moves fluidly between structure and improvisation.
The current core features Emi Laurinec (keys), Šimon Brunovský (drums), Leo Schmitzer (guitar), and Stano Baranec (saxophone), collectively bringing a dynamic, contemporary edge to Benko’s compositions. As they close the chapter of 12 Degree Coast, the orchestra is undergoing a stylistic transformation, preparing to leave the familiar behind.
New music is set to arrive in mid-2026, marking the next phase of a project that treats jazz as an evolving language — alive, collaborative, and always in motion.
Playing on: Friday, 24 April, 2026 | Park de Palma | 20:00 – 20:40
https://samobenko.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/samo_benko