Saturday 2nd November 2024, 20:00 – Behind the Dikes.
Gijs Hendriks (Utrecht 1938-2017) was a reed player, composer, bandleader, and a tireless inspiration for Utrecht’s jazz life. He was part of Boy Edgar’s big band and the VARA Dance Orchestra. In his own groups, bassist Bert van Erk and drummer Michael Baird were his regular accompanists for many years. Widespread appreciation for his work was expressed in the Wessel Ilcken Prize and the VARA Jazz Award. His home city Utrecht honoured him with the Culture Prize of the city of Utrecht and the Silver City Medal.
Hendriks’ activities extended beyond Utrecht and the Netherlands. In the 1950s he worked in Germany, France, and Morocco. Among the many foreign contacts with whom he later shared the stage are Johnny Griffin, Slide Hampton, Nina Simone, Stan Tracey, Tom Harrell, and the American drummer Beaver Harris.
Merciless is the title of a documentary that Ellen Blom made about Hendriks.
Click for the Playlist of this programme.
Behind the Dikes – Hajé Nordbeck
(photo: Jaap van de Klomp)
