The 3 Big Band Orchestra was founded in 1991 following a 10 day Big Band summer workshop. Initial support was generously provided by long time members of the RTV Slovenia Big Band, conductor Jože Pivšek and Professor Dušan Veble. Over the years, the orchestra has been guided on their music journey by saxophonist Peter Popovski and trumpeter and conductor Aleš Bolje.
The orchestra consists of 18 musicians from all three coastal municipalities of Slovenia, united by their love for music and a commitment to performing a diverse and challenging repertoire with quality and dedication. Throughout its rich history, the orchestra has collaborated with many famous singers and musicians, including Alenka Godec, Darja Švajger, Nuška Drašček, Mia Žnidarič, Metka Štok, Mojca Maljevac, Lara Baruca, Vokalni kvartet 7+, Rudi Bučar, Patrik Greblo, pianist Renato Chicco, pianist and vocalist Lucienne Lončina, Slavko Ivančič, Samuel Lucas, Eva Hren, Lea Sirk, Oto Pestner, Tulio Furlanič, Nuša Derenda and others.
For many years, the orchestra has collaborated with the Center for Culture, Sports and Events Izola, as well as the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Cultural activities, regularly submitting and carrying out its projects. It has organized three national and one international amateur Big Band festivals and thanks to this, the orchestra was invited to perform in Krško, Celje, Zagorje, Velenje, Marezige and Ljubljana. Besides in Slovenia, it has also performed in Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia.
On invitation from RTV Slovenia, the orchestra recorded its own live jazz program, producing a half-hour broadcast. The orchestra also played a role in promoting Izola in the film The life of the Slovenian island.
In September 2000, the orchestra marked the coastal cultural scene with a unique musical event, uniting Big Band Music with performances by the region’s top rock artists. The project received positive feedback from music critics.
In 2001, the 3 Big Band Orchestra received a municipal award with a gold plaque for its decade of creative contributions to the Municipality of Izola. Its work has enhanced the cultural and tourist recognition of Izola, both in Slovenia and abroad. Through its events, it enriched the cultural life of its city and other cities in Slovenia, while also supporting creative work in the community.
In 2005, the orchestra was invited by the Ministry of Culture to perform at the Slovenian Philharmonic Ljubljana as part of cultural program for the Republic of Slovenia Business Excellence Award ceremony. In 2006, it was a guest orchestra at an international Big Band festival in Hungary. In October 2007, it organized a benefit concert for flood victims.
The orchestra stays dedicated to its goals, constantly evolving and keeping its creative energy alive. Since its last anniversary, the orchestra has elevated its artistic standards, demonstrated through its concerts and performances, as well as the release of a CD in 2011.
3 Big Band Orchestra is regularly invited to company and institutional anniversary events, participated in local and regional festivals and actively promotes cultural exchange.