The Transorient Orchestra sounds out the transcultural soundtrack of the Metropole Ruhr.

The current lineup brings together musicians whose cultural roots lie in Germany, Turkey, Iran, Tunisia, and Iraq. A dozen virtuoso soloists form a shimmering, multicolored ensemble.

Santur, oud, nay, and darbuka enter into creative dialogue with big band horn sections, guitar, bass, violin, drums, and percussion, expanded by Arabic and Turkish vocals.

The Transorient Orchestra fuses the melodies and rhythms of the Orient with Western harmony and jazz improvisation into diverse and exciting combinations.

Orient and Occident in a unique musical synthesis: intellectually inspiring and emotionally moving.

Since 2003, the Transorient Orchestra, under the direction of Andreas Heuser, has enriched the music scene in the Ruhr region and far beyond.

The Transorient Orchestra is the 2017 WDR Jazz Prize winner in the category "Musikkulturen" (Music Cultures).

The TRANSORIENT ORCHESTRA usually performs with 13 musicians. It also appears in a smaller lineup as the TRANSORIENT ENSEMBLE. The lineup includes:

Andreas Heuser: guitar, violin Nikola Seegers: soprano saxophone, vocals Rageed William: nay, duduk

Yavuz Duman: trumpet, flugelhorn Catrin Groth: baritone saxophone Kazim Calisgan: kopuz, percussion, vocals 

Sahbi Amara: oud, vocals Kioomars Musayyebi: santur Antje Vetter: violin Jens Pollheide: bass, kaval, flute

Fethi Ak: darbuka, bendir Benny Mokross: drums, percussion Volker Sipplie: drums, percussion