Dutch jazz

Dutch jazz refers to the jazz music of the Netherlands. The Dutch traditionally have a vibrant jazz scene as shown by the North Sea Jazz Festival as well as other venues.

History

Early period

In the Netherlands jazz began around 1919 to 1921. By the late 1920s the Dutch jazz group The Ramblers performed with Coleman Hawkins among others. Later Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington would perform in the nation sparking further interest.

Still there was some discomfort with the jazz clubs and fear the musicians would be corrupting on Dutch women. In addition to that the staffs were often Surinamese and racial aspects came into play at times. The clubs also had Surinamese musicians like Teddy Cotton.

The occupation and WWII

At least at first jazz in the Netherlands was not curtailed by Nazi Germany's occupation. In 1940 the US was not yet at war with Germany so the music was given a degree of freedom. Still restrictions on Jewish musicians had some effect and caused the Ramblers to fire several musicians. In some cases though Dutch jazz musicians aided Nazi propaganda at this point.

The situation began to change in 1941 as the war with the Soviet Union and then the United States led to restrictions. At first this limited them to performing in theatres and prohibited English-language names for bands. In time groups were forbidden to use the word "jazz" and restrictions grew severe. In some cases musicians adjusted by switching to Polynesian music, but in the case of Jewish musicians life became perilous. Later there would also be repressions of the Surinamese jazz musicians for being "Non-Aryan"

Post-war

Dutch jazz musicians had reflected Americans before the war and this continued to varying degrees until the late 1950s. In the 1970s jazz gained acceptance in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and government funding. Since then many jazz musicians choose the Netherlands as a place to study or settle. Examples of this include Sean Bergin, Cab Kaye, Wilbur Little, and Michael Moore, .

Styles

Dutch jazz includes various styles although avant garde and European free jazz has been significant in the last few decades. In addition to that trad jazz and smooth jazz, the latter perhaps exemplified by Candy Dulfer, also has many adherents. The Netherlands is also home to Stochelo Rosenberg, one of the leading living figures in Gypsy jazz.

The VPRO/Boy Edgar Award is a jazz award from the Netherlands. This price is given to an individual that must have made significant contributions to the Dutch jazz scene over a significant period of time. In 2008 the price was given to Pierre Courbois.

Musicians

• Peter Beets - pianist
• Han Bennink - Percussionist
• Bert Boeren - Trombonist
• Michiel Borstlap- Pianist and composer
• Michiel Braam - Pianist and bandleader
• Willem Breuker - Bandleader and saxophonist
• Bert van den Brink (nl)- Pianist and composer/arranger
• Glenn Corneille - Pianist
• Pierre Courbois - Drummer
• Hans Dulfer - Saxophonist
• Candy Dulfer - Saxophonist (Hans Dulfer's daughter)
• Harry Emmery (nl) - Double bassist
• Max Geldray - Harmonica, comedy
• Hein van de Geyn - Double Bassist
• Maarten van der Grinten (de) - Guitarist
• Richard Hallebeek - Jazz-fusion
• Benjamin Herman (Saxophonist) (de)
• Jasper van 't Hof - Pianist and bandleader
• John Hondorp - Organist
• Ilse Huizinga - Singer
• Wessel Ilcken (de) (nl) - Drummer
• Greetje Kauffeld - Singer
• Tim Kliphuis - Violinist
• Frits Landesbergen - Drummer
• Erik van der Luijt - Pianist
• Rob Madna (nl) - Pianist and composer/arranger
• Willem van Manen (de) (nl)- Trombonist, composer, Big Band leader
• Johnny Meijer - Accordionist (folk and jazz)
• Misha Mengelberg - Pianist and composer
• Piet Noordijk (de) (nl) - Saxophonist
• Wim Overgaauw (de) - Guitarist
• Tony Overwater (de) - Bassist.
• Lodewijk Parisius - Dutch/Surinamese tenor saxophonist
• Rita Reys - Singer
• Ernst Reijseger - Cellist
• Han Reiziger (nl) - Pianist
• Marc van Roon - Pianist
• Toon Roos (de) - Saxophonist
• Stochelo Rosenberg - Guitarist
• Jesse van Ruller (de) (nl)- Guitarist
• Cees Slinger (de) - Pianist
• Jelle van Tongeren - Violinist
• Eric Vloeimans - Trumpeter
• Wolter Wierbos - Trombonist
• Joe Vanenkhuizen - Accordeonist saxophonist and composer.

Bands

• Amsterdam Jazz Quintet - Modern Jazz.
• Bik Bent Braam - Experimental big band
• Dutch Swing College Band - Dixieland revival.
• New Cool Collective (nl) - Edison Award winners.[1]
• The Ploctones (nl)
• The Ramblers (nl) - Early Dutch jazz band and the longest surviving big band according to the Guinness World Records.
• Rosenberg Trio
• The Skymasters (nl) - 1940s Big band.
• Tzigane Swing - Student Jazz Orchestra

External links

• Dutch jazz history site (Dutch)
• Dutch Jazz Connection
• Dutch Jazz Agency