Dutch Jazz on CD, compiled by Jan Verwey.
Theme: we will sing…!
Tonight, we will hear four jazz singers.
I will start with Simone Honijk who lives in Alkmaar, where she was born. She studied at the conservatoire when she was older, and developed further in writing and arranging of jazz music as well.
Then, Maaike den Dunnen. She was inspired by her colleague Fay Claassen, which is notable in her way of improvising: thinking as an instrumentalist. She produced a lot of her own work, but if she works on a standard, for example ‘Spring is here’, she creates almost an entirely new composition. Amazingly well done.
Masha Bijlsma is a natural talent and has been performing with her band for years; touring all over Europe, and each time with a lineup that captures the imagination. And what about Ruud Breuls and Jarmo Hoogendijk on the trumpet. Rob van den Broeck (p) who is sadly no longer among us, and Bart van Lier playing the trombone. And of course, Dries Bijlsma (dad) on drums. An amazing band.
Finally, Colette Wickenhagen, fully self-taught, as a joke I would always ask ‘what brand?’ Fully self-supporting, originally from the Dance scene. I worked a lot with her in the eighties and nineties. It happens to be that bass player Wiro Mahieu plays on both albums tonight, the last two CDs.
Simone Honijk – CD ‘Dreamdancing’ – 2015 – own management.
Maaike den Dunnen – CD ‘Arrival’ – 2013 – ATS Records.
Masha Bijlsma Band – CD ‘Lopin’ – 2003 – Lion Jazz.
Colette Wickenhagen – CD ‘The Kick of the Blues’ – 1994 – Adrem/Kick Visser.
Technique: Willem van Schip
