Episode 31: Reinier Baas

Guitarist Reinier Baas recently released "Smash Hits", an album with his longtime collaborator Ben van Gelder and the prestigious Metropole Orchestra. In this episode he tells Pat about the process of translating his small ensemble compositions into orchestral pieces, his particular voice on the guitar, as well as his new project "Minute music", a series of one minute pieces written specifically for Instagram video.

Reinier recommended Kit Downes’ solo record Obsidian, as well as Joris Roelofs and Han Bennink’s record Ikarus (as discussed on episode 19 of this show!).

Please visit Reinier’s website to purchase his music and find tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

”Stuiter” from the album Smash Hits
Reinier Baas - guitar
Ben van Gelder - saxophone
Christian Elsässer - conducting
Gerd Hermann Ortler - arrangement
and all the members of the Metropole Orkest

“Filter” unreleased recording
Reinier Baas - guitar, coffee filter, sympathetic piano strings

thumbnail picture by Govert Driessen, edited by Stijn van der Pol.

Episode 20: Joost Lijbaart

In this episode, drummer/percussionist Joost Lijbaart is my guest on the show. We talk about his long lasting musical relationship with Yuri Honing, the origin story of his latest project Under the Surface, and his approach to musical entrepreneurship.

Joost recommended the band Codona, specifically their ECM album The Codona Trilogy.

Please visit Joost's website to find his tour dates and to purchase any of his music.

Music featured in this episode:

"Above" from the album Under the Surface.
     Joost Lijbaart - drums, percussion
     Sanne Rambags - vocals
     Bram Stadhouders - guitar, electronics

"Intertwined" with Batik from the album Headland.
     Joost Lijbaart - drums, percussion
     Wolfert Brederode - piano
     Ed Verhoeff - guitar
     Mark Haanstra - electric bass

Episode 15: Sanem Kalfa

In this episode, Turkish vocalist Sanem Kalfa joins me to talk about her new album "Dance". We discuss how she went from studying classical cello in Turkey to jazz singing in the Netherlands, the 10 year collaboration with her bandmate George Dumitriu, and how they drew inspiration from the poetry of Rumi for this album.

Sanem recommended reading Rumi, there are too many different collections of his poems and stories to name any specific one.

Please visit Sanem's website to purchase her music and find tour dates. There is also a site specific to her duo with George Dumitriu that can be found here.

photo by Ismet Kisaoglu

Music featured in this episode:

"Dance" and "408" from the album "Dance".
     Sanem Kalfa - voice, electronics
     George Dumitriu - guitar, viola, electronics

Episode 12: Vuma Levin

In this episode, South African guitarist Vuma Levin joins me to talk about his latest quintet record "Life and Death on the Other Side of the Dream". We discuss the themes of identity and history intrinsic to his work, as well as its political nature, his experience of coming to and eventually leaving Amsterdam, and his recent return to Johannesburg.

Vuma recommended two books: The Quiet Violence of Dreams by K. Sello Duiker and NW by Zadie Smith. He also recommended Charlie Kaufman's animated movie Anomalisa.

Please visit Vuma's website to find tour dates and more info, and to purchase any of his music.

Music featured in this episode:

"Hashtag" and "Rebirth" from the album "Life and Death on the Other Side of the Dream".
     Vuma Levin - guitar
     Bernard van Rossum - saxophone
     Xavi Torres - piano
     Marco Zenini - bass
     Jeroen Batterink - drums

Episode 02: Bram Stadhouders

In this episode, guitarist and composer Bram Stadhouders comes on the show to talk about his latest project The Big Barrel Organ. We discuss his love of vocal music and combining musicians from different backgrounds, triggering electronics, synthesizers, and even robots directly from his guitar, as well as the details behind his fascinating new project featuring a mechanical dance organ.

Bram recommended the work of composer Michel van der Aa, specifically discussed were the 3D opera Blank Out and his interactive song cycle The Book of Sand.

Please visit Bram's website to purchase his music, find more information and tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Jonas Sacks

"Papaver" from the album The Big Barrel Organ.
   Bram Stadhouders - guitar, barrel organ

"To a Promise" from the album Henosis.
    Bram Stadhouders - guitar & guitarsynth, composer
    Onno Govaert - drums & percussion
    David Hoogerheide - keyboards & laptop
    Klaas Stok - conductor
    Netherlands Chamber Choir:
    Heleen Koele & Annet Lans - sopranos
    Karin van der Poel & Marleene Goldstein - altos
    Alberto ter Doest & Albert van Ommen - tenors
    Jasper Schweppe & Gilad Nezer - basses

Episode 01: George Dumitriu

In this episode, guitarist, violinist and viola player George Dumitriu comes on the show to talk about his latest trio record Proverbe. We discuss his use of romanian proverbs to inspire improvisations, adding strings and electronics to the traditional guitar trio and his increasing love for and exploration of the viola.

George recommended Andrei Tarkovsky's 1975 film "The Mirror" and the book he couldn't remember the title of is "Sculpting in Time".

Please visit George's website to purchase his music, find more information and tour dates.

Music featured in this episode:

"Proverb 3" from the album Proverbe.
     George Dumitriu – guitar, violin & viola
     Mattia Magatelli – double & el. bass
     Kristijan Krajnčan – drums & violoncello

"Solo viola improvisation" live at the Bimhuis, Amsterdam on 27/09/2017.
     George Dumitriu - viola