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 30: Laura Polence

Vocalist Laura Polence is releasing her debut album "Side by Side"' this week. She and Pat discuss the making of her new record and the process of recording for the native DSD format, the Latvian scene and how the fall of communism affected the current generation of musicians, and her love of Brazilian music.

Laura recommended the work of poet Karl Kempton, specifically his book Poems about Something & Nothing.

Please visit Laura’s website to find more information as well as to purchase her new record.

Music featured in this episode:

“Viena Pati Dvēselīte part 1” and “Short Summary” from the album Side by Side.

Laura Polence - vocals
George Dumitriu - viola & guitar
Lennart Heyndels - bass
Saskia Oving, Una Bergin, Laurien Schreuder, Femke Smit, Sanne Huijbregts, Irene Rametta, Mara Berzina and Anna Maria Nitschke - choir

Episode 28: Philippe Lemm

New York based drummer Philippe Lemm is the guest on this episode. Amongst other things we discuss his new trio album "City Birds", how he came to live and work in New York, and modern television as a source of inspiration.

Philippe recommended singer/songwriter Gabriel Kahane, specifically his album “Book of Travelers”. He also recommended the movie “Aurora Borealis” directed by Márta Mészáros.

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

Music featured in this episode:

”Emerge” from the album City Birds by the Philippe Lemm trio.
Philippe Lemm - drums
Angelo Di Loreto - piano
Jeff Koch - bass

"War Chant” by Ajoyo.
Sarah Elizabeth Charles - vocals
Yacine Boulares - saxophone
Michael Valeanu - guitar
Jesse Fischer - keys
Yonathan Cohen - bass
Philippe Lemm - drums

Episode 27: Efraim Trujillo

Saxophonist Efraim Trujillo and his organ trio The Preacher Men just released their second album Blue. In this episode we discuss the blues and its many forms, the importance of rhythm in Efraim's music and how the band got to record with legendary producer and engineer Al Schmitt.

Efraim recommended William Ferris’ book Blues from the Delta.

Please visit Efraim’s website for more information, tour dates and to purchase any of his music.

Music featured in this episode:

“Lost and Nowhere to be Found” and “Into the Blue” from the album Blue.
Efraim Trujillo - saxophone , vocals
Eline Gemerts - lead vocals
Rob Mostert - hammond organ
Chris Strik - drums
Rory Ronde - guitar
Michael Varekamp - trumpet

thumbnail photo by Ferry Knijn

Episode 25: Stephanie Francke

Stephanie Francke is a member of the Spoken saxophone quartet. In this episode of the show she talks to Pat about their new album Artic Monsoon, how she came to be a jazz musician, and taking a step back from the stereotypical role of saxophonist as leader and soloist.

Stephanie recommended Yuval Noah Harari’s bestseller Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind.

Please visit Stephanie’s website, as well as that of the quartet Spoken for more info, tour dates and to find where you can purchase their music.

Music featured in this episode:

“Inspector” from the album Arctic Monsoon by Spoken+2.
Stephanie Francke - alto and soprano saxophones
Wietse Voermans - alto saxophone
Jasper van Damme - tenor saxophone
Ruben Verbruggen - baritone saxophone
Sanne Huijbregts - vocals, glockenspiel
Friso van Wijck - drums, percussion

”Two Moons” from the album Ripples.
Stephanie Francke - soprano saxophone
Koen Schalkwijk - piano
Guus Bakker - bass
Niek de Bruijn - drums

Episode 24: Mark Haanstra

Bassist Mark Haanstra joins Pat to discuss his duo project with viola player Oene van Geel. They talk about this unusual instrumentation, creating music based on the photography of Udo Prinsen and their new record Shapes of Time.

Mark recommended taking a look at the work of photographer Udo Prinsen, as well as listening to Raphael Vanoli’s solo album Bibrax.

Please visit Mark and Oene’s website for more information and to purchase Shapes of Time.

Music featured in this episode:

“Skúli” and “Cyclo” from the album Shapes of Time.
Mark Haanstra - bass guitar, double bass
Oene van Geel - viola
Raphael Vanoli - guitar, effects
based on the photography of Udo Prinsen

Episode 23: Kevin van den Elzen

In this episode, my guest is drummer Kevin van den Elzen. We discuss the scene in Los Angeles, why he chose to move there and what that has meant for his career, as well as his love for Big Band music.

Kevin recommended Kenny Werner's book "Effortless Mastery", that you may remember was previously recommended by Bobby Petrov in episode 3 of the show!

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

Music featured in this episode:

"Take it Day by Day" live at the Bimhuis on 06/10/2017.
     Kevin van den Elzen - drums, composition
     Ben van Gelder - alto saxophone
     Mike Lebrun - tenor saxophone
     Adam Hersch - piano
     Max Kraus - bass

"Hero with a thousand faces" by the Dutch Concert Big Band live at the Grachtenfestival on 16/08/2018.
     Vince Mendoza - composer
     Jasper van Damme, Donald Simoen, Bernard van Rossum, Joao Driessen and Jessie Brevé - saxophones
     Jos van den Heuvel, Peter Keijsers, Matthias Konrad and Bart van Gorp - trombones
     Ywo Lamonaca, Florian Sperzel, Coos Zwagerman, Gidon Nunez Vaz and Jan-Willem te Kiefte - trumpets
     Koen Schalkwijk - piano
     Durk Hijma - guitar
     Tobias Nijboer - bass
     Kevin van den Elzen - drums
    
    

Episode 22: Itai Weissman

In this episode my guest is the Israeli saxophonist and EWI player Itai Weissman. We talk about his band Used to be New and their record Popular Emotions as well as his love of the EWI, its history and its status as a misunderstood instrument.

Itai recommended practicing sports!

Please visit Itai's Bandcamp page to purchase his music, and follow this link to the new album on Spotify.

Music featured in this episode:

"Binyamin" and "N.I.S." from the album Popular Emotions.
     Itai Weissman - saxophone, EWI
     Diego Rodriguez - bass
     Henning Luther - drums

Episode 21: Camiel Jansen

In this episode, bassist Camiel Jansen joins me to talk about his band Ikarai, working with both jazz and classical musicians and their new boxing themed project MUHAMMAD.

Camiel recommended the book Congo: The Epic History of a People by David Van Reybrouck.

Please visit Camiel's website, as well his band Ikarai's to find tour dates and purchase any of his music.

photo by Karen van Gilst

Music featured in this episode:

"Flight of the Butterfly" from MUHAMMAD and "Fernweh" from FLY.
     Camiel Jansen - bass
     Julian Schneemann - piano
     Jeroen Batterink - drums
     Tessel Hersbach - violin
     Yanna Pelser - viola
     Bence Huszar - cello

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 19: Joris Roelofs

In this episode my guest is (bass) clarinettist Joris Roelofs. We discuss his choice to focus on the clarinet, his study and love of philosophy (Nietzsche in particular), and how his new duo with drumming legend Han Bennink came to be.

Joris recommended Franz Kafka's short story "Investigations of a Dog".

Please visit Joris' website to find more information about his projects, upcoming tour dates and to purchase any of his music.

photo by Marcel Bakker

Music featured in this episode:

"Guidi" and "Gustav 2" from the album Icarus.
     Joris Roelofs - bass clarinet
     Han Bennink - drums

Episode 18: Marike van Dijk

In this episode, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Marike van Dijk is on the show to talk about a new album by her ensemble the Stereography Project. We discuss how she got into writing for large ensembles, her collaboration with singer songwriters Jeff Taylor and Katell Keineg, and working with both Amsterdam and New York based bands.

Marike recommended Emma Frank's album "Ocean av", as well as the band Breastfist's new record "Amuse Deuce".

Please go to Marike's website to find her tour dates, more info, and to purchase any of her music.

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Lily Chen

"Paper Thin" from the album The Stereography Project feat. Jeff Taylor and Katell Keineg.
     Jeff Taylor - Vocals, Guitar
     Marike van Dijk - Alto Sax
     Anna Webber - Flute / Tenor Sax
     Lucas Pino - Clarinet / Tenor Sax
     Jay Rattman - bassclarinet / Alto Sax
     Alan Ferber - Trombone
     Sita Chay - Violin
     Meg Okura - Violin
     Eric Lemmon - Viola
     Susan Mandel - Cello
     Manuel Schmiedel - Piano
     Rick Rosato - Bass
     Colin Stranahan - Drums

"There You Go" from the album The Stereography Project feat. Jeff Taylor and Katell Keineg.
     Katell Keineg - Vocals, Guitar,
     Marike van Dijk - Alto Sax
     Charlotte Greve - Flute/Alto Sax
     Maarten Ornstein - Clarinet/Tenor Sax
     Ben van Gelder - Bassclarinet
     Matthias Konrad - Trombone
     Jasper van Rosmalen - Violin
     Annelieke Marselje - Violin
     Rani Kumar - Viola
     Amber Docters van Leeuwen - Cello
     Manuel Schmiedel - Piano
     Sean Fasciani - Bass
     Mark Schilders - Drums

Episode 17: Kaja Draksler

In this episode, pianist and composer Kaja Draksler is my guest. We discuss her choice to study contemporary classical composition, her various projects from octet to solo, her love of vocal music and the upcoming Doek festival.

Kaja recommended reading Carl Gustav Jung, specifically Four Archetypes and Memories, Dreams, Reflections.

Please go to Kaja's website to find her tour dates, info about each of her many projects, and to purchase any of her music.

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Beata Szparagowska

"A Promise is a Promise" from the album Gledalec.
     Kaja Draksler - piano, composition
     Björk Níelsdóttir - voice
     Laura Polence - voice
     Ada Rave - reeds
     Ab Baars - reeds
     George Dumitriu - violin, viola
     Lennart Heyndels - double bass
     Onno Goveart - drums, percussion
     text by Adriana Minou

"Dusk, Mystery, Memory, Community" from the album To Pianos.
     Kaja Draksler - piano, composition
     Eve Risser - piano
    

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 14: Robert van der Padt

In this episode I’m joined by pianist, bandleader and booking agent/promoter Robert van der Padt. We discuss his band Tyranni Flock’s new EP, the process of recording and releasing his music, and how he founded and runs his own booking agency Bird Call Bookings.

Robert recommended Christian Scott's latest releases as part of his centennial trilogy, specifically Diaspora. For any self promoting musicians, he also recommended Matt Fripp's website Jazzfuel.com, which is full of great resources and information.

Please visit Robert's website for tour dates, info about his booking agency and to purchase his music.

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Felipe Pipi

"In Control" and "Dive in the Deep" from the EP "Tyranni Flock".
     Robert van der Padt - keyboards
     Itai Weissman - EWI
     Remi J. Edson - flutes
     Hidde Roorda - bass
     Willem van der Krabben - drums

Episode 13: Dominic J Marshall

In this episode, pianist, keyboard player and beat maker Dominic J Marshall is on the show to talk about two new releases: his beat tape Compassion Fruit, and his trio record Cave Art vol. 2. We discuss his love of hip hop and beat music, how he brings produced music from the studio to the stage, and his decision to make a record with only covers.

Dominic recommended Doris Lessing's "Re: Colonised Planet 5, Shikasta" (from her series of novels "Canopus in Argos")

Please visit Dominic's website to find more info, tour dates, and links to purchase his music.

Music featured in this episode:

"REspect" from the album "Compassion Fruit".
     Dominic J Marshall - keyboards, samples & electronics
     Jamie Peet - drums

"Kon Queso" from the album "Cave art vol. 2"
     Dominic J Marshall - keyboards & arrangement
     Sam Vicary - bass
     Sam Gardner - drums

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 11: Felix Schlarmann

In this episode, German drummer Felix Schlarmann is on the show not only to discuss his music, but also the yearly festival that he founded and organizes: Jazzfest Amsterdam. We talk about  this year's edition and some of his approaches to booking the festival, his latest collaboration with Jasper Blom and Sean Fasciani around the music of Stevie Wonder and a new quartet project in the making.

Felix gave a couple of Berlin based recommendations: the jazz and experimental music venue Donau115 as well as the ancient Egyptian collection in the Neues Museum.

Please visit Felix's website to find information about his upcoming shows and to purchase any of his music. You can also go to Jazzfest Amsterdam's website to find details about this edition as well as future editions of the festival.

Music featured in this episode:

Photo by Maarten van der Kamp

"Landscapes" from the album Counterlife.
     Felix Schlarmann - drums
     Floris van der Vlugt - bass clarinet
     Lars Dietrich - alto saxophone
     Franz von Chossy - piano
     Pat Cleaver - bass

"Eternity" recorded live at the Bimhuis.
     Felix Schlarmann - drums
     Wolfert Brederode - piano
     Bram Stadhouders - guitar
     Jasper Stadhouders - bass

Episode 10: Christian Pabst

In this episode, pianist and composer Christian Pabst is on the show to talk about his new trio record Inner Voice. We discuss his choice to return to the pure piano trio format, his intuitive and image based approach to composing and how his work as a film composer differs from that of an improvising musician and bandleader.

Christian recommended the graphic novel series The Incal written by Alejandro Jodorowski and originally drawn by Jean Giraud (Moebius). He also recommended looking into the North Sentinel Island, home to some of the last remaining people untouched by modern civilisation.

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

Music featured in this episode:

photo by Bart Voorbergen

"Dante's Dream" and "Flabbergasted" from the album Inner Voice.
Christian Pabst - piano
Marco Zenini - bass
Erik Kooger - drums

Episode 09: Bernard van Rossum

In this episode, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Bernard van Rossum joins Pat to discuss his project the BvR Flamenco Big Band and their most recent album Luz de Luna. We talk about how he started writing for and leading his own large ensemble, his approach to melding jazz and flamenco music and the recording of their second album (featuring some very special guests).

Bernard recommended Seamus Blake's 2015 album Superconductor as well as the photography exhibition Human Nature by Lucas Foglia currently on display at FOAM in Amsterdam until the 15th of April 2018.

Please visit Bernard's personal website or the BvR Flamenco Big Band's website to purchase his music, find tour dates and more information.

Music featured in this episode:

"La Gaviota" and "Luz de Luna" from the BvR Flamenco Big Band's album Luz de Luna.
     Bernard van Rossum - soprano saxophone, composition, arrangements & lyrics
     Antonio Serrano - harmonica
     David de Jacoba - voice
     Carlos de Jacoba - guitar
     Maria Marin - voice
     Edsart Udo de Haes - flamenco guitar
     Udo Demandt - percussion & cajon
     Miguel Hiroshi - palmas & percussion
     Jasper van Damme, Miguel Ortega, Joao Driessen, Fernando Sanchez & Bruno van der Haegen - saxophones & other woodwinds
     Gerhard Ornig, Bruno Calvo, Gidon Nunes Vaz & Evgeniy Bondarev - trumpets
     Jos van de Heuvel, Oliver Emitt, Matthias Konrad & Pablo Martinez - trombones
     Xavi Torres - piano
     Marco Zenini - bass
     Joan Terol - drums