The Capital Dance Orchestra was founded in 1997 under the name of “André Frank and his Orchestra”. The ensemble, named after its founder and conductor André Frank, was an internationally renowned ensemble for its performances of music from the twenties through forties. After a short hiatus, the newly formed ensemble chose a new name:

The Capital Dance Orchestra.

Inspired by the immense abilities of the old bands as well as by the rhythm and musical esprit of the old composers, a group of leading musicians have come together to perform dance music from the “golden twenties”, hits from the old UFA-films and international swing classics. In accordance with their motto “Back to the Roaring Twenties and Swinging Thirties” they dedicated themselves to performances of this great music remaining true to the style of its day.

The Capital Dance Orchestra performs music ranging from the Charleston and the Black Bottom of the twenties to nonsensical fun songs like “Gut geht’s Kanada, seit die Anna da” or “Unter den Pinien von Argentinien”, from the hits of the UFA-films like “Für eine Nacht voller Seligkeit” or “Man müsste Klavier spielen können” to international swing classics like “Caravan” by Duke Ellington or “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael.

The varied musical backgrounds of the members of the CAPITAL DANCE ORCHESTRA is exactly what makes their performances so interesting and exciting. Some of the musicians have a classical symphony orchestra background – they are members of the “Deutsches Symphonie Orchester” and the “Berliner Symphoniker”. Others are members of orchestras of the leading musical stages in Germany including the “Theater des Westens” and the “Musicaltheater am Potsdamer Platz”.

To perfect the stylistic balance, some of the members of the CAPITAL DANCE ORCHESTRA are top Jazz specialists from the Berlin Jazz scene. Some studied in the United States and have gathered a lot of experience in Jazz from their work in the famous “RIAS-Bigband”or many other notable Jazz groups.
The CAPITAL DANCE ORCHESTRA, joined by singers from various musical styles and under the direction of Arthur Castro (“Pomp Duck and Circumstance”, “West Side Story”), can promise many entertaining evenings of great nostalgic music.

The orchestra sees its greatest success and future in performing at galas and congresses as well as performing concerts both in traditional concert halls and on cruise ships. Past engagements have led them to China, Brazil, South Africa, Austria and Switzerland.