A new unit of intangible cultural heritage has been entered into the Register of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the 138th in a row – Jazz playing.

Jazz is a fusion of African and European musical traditions. It is characterized by syncopated rhythms, dynamic orchestration and improvisation. Since the 1920s, it has been the foundation of the development of Slovenian popular music. It is performed by both smaller and larger bands.

One bearer was registered with the unit - the Big Band RTV Slovenia.

The Big Band RTV Slovenia has been operating continuously since 1945 and is one of the oldest such bands in the world. Conductor and composer Bojan Adamič (1912–1995) is largely responsible for its beginnings. The Radio Ljubljana Dance Orchestra, as the orchestra was then called, was led by Adamič until 1961. At that time, Jože Privšek (1937–1998) took the baton and led the Radio Ljubljana Dance Orchestra to the highest quality level. During this time, the orchestra was renamed the Big Band RTV Ljubljana, and after Slovenia gained independence, the Big Band RTV Slovenia. In 1992, Lojze Krajnčan took over the leadership of the orchestra, along with Petar Ugrin, Milko Lazar, Emil Spruk and others.

Today, the Big Band RTV Slovenia has been greatly rejuvenated. Most of its members come from jazz academies abroad and are all virtuosos on their instruments. Hugo Šekoranja took over the artistic direction in 2002, and since 2014, the leadership has been collective, with the then head of the Music Production unit, Patrik Grebl, and the artistic direction of the Big Band, consisting of four members of the orchestra.

The knowledge that individual musicians bring as members of the orchestra and expand in joint music making is an extremely important living experience for young jazz musicians. Top performance skills and a breadth of aesthetic values ​​connect pop music, dance music, various improvisational styles and a culture of collaboration with individual creators and performers as well as with various ensembles and orchestras.

The primary mission of the RTV Slovenia Big Band – the preservation of Slovenian musical production in the fields of improvised music, dance music, jazz music and pop music – is evidenced by more than 800 units of recordings.

A total of 138 units and 409 bearers of intangible cultural heritage are registered in the Register.