Since a twenty-fifth anniversary is after all a special occasion, Jazz Middelheim wants to get off to a truly festive start. That includes speeches and meditations on the rich history of the festival, including a tribute to Elias Gistelinck, its inspired founder. He died in spring 2005 but his spirit will always be floating around somewhere in the neighbourhood of Park Den Brandt. And of course there is also the music to add sparkle to the party. An authentic double bass orchestra with twelve bassists and a drummer is giving two mini-concerts, one conducted by Jean Warland and the other by Peter Vermeersch. Warland has arranged several lesser-known pieces by Duke Ellington, Francy Boland and others. And he joins in too! And Peter Vermeersch has written a new composition specially for the occasion.