"The Dorf" ("The village") was founded in November 2006 by saxofonist/ composer Jan Klare and was first called the "off domicil orchester" because it was (and still is infact)supported by the jazzclub domicil in Dortmund, Germany. Every month between 15 - 25 musicians, out of a pool of about 35 of the best players in the area, came together in that club. Slowly a band nucleus and a very interesting repertoire developed. The pieces are written by Klare - they are characterized by extensive structures that sometimes build to a climax, and sometimes break apart.

This large band works like a marketplace or even a pub - people come together, people didn't know each other before, constantly new faces enter the scene, old acquaintances say goodbye, some regulars can always be found. The repertoire becomes more familiar over the course of time, but sounds different every night – musical parts are exchanged, sometimes they are even completely dropped, the basic sound, the atmosphere of "The Dorf“ though gets more palpable with every concert. In some moments everything is upside down, while in other situations you have "deadly silence". There are dicussions about the size of the properties, there are village elders, excursions and a common meal. The quite modern and therefore appropriate term "social sculpture" should be mentioned in this context, also the fact, that "The Dorf" lies in the heart of the "Ruhrgebiet", Germany's rustbelt, which means: a certain proletarian roughness and dirt factor marks the music; placative actions, decibels and energy must be accepted by "visiting tourists" like you have to deal with sawdust at the carpenter's workshop – it comes from the heart. Underneath this occasionally hard shell the most tender plantlets, poets and thinkers can be found.

Klare is well known in Germany as a composer and bandleader. He co-lead "Supernova" (a 15 piece band) from 2000–2003, which got invited to play at international festivals. His pieces are as much played by contemporary classical ensembles as by jazz bands and have been recorded by the WDR Radio Big Band among others. He has written a piece for 150 musicians, fireworks and church bells. "The Dorf" takes all this one step further – it's heavy, raw and a lot of fun.

Jan Klare is following