In a few weeks I’ll have the distinct honour of presenting a body of new works at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (March 2nd) and LantarenVenster in Rotterdam (March 3rd). During the past few months, I have been working on new pieces written specifically for some of my favourite musicians and personalities. This has resulted in the GIGANTIC CHAMBER MUSIC MINI FESTIVAL; a programme featuring a number of Holland’s most outstanding classical- and improvising musicians.
STRING QUARTET 1 will be performed by a quartet that was founded especially for the occasion, headed by the great Jeffrey Bruinsma (violin), with Joris van Rijn (violin/concertmaster Radio Philharmonic Orchestra), Sofie van der Schalie (viola) and Geneviève Verhage (cello). Nora Fischer (vox) will perform DOLASILLA (AN ENORMOUS MINI-OPERA), and a number of new compositions will be performed by Ben van Gelder (alto sax), Joris Roelofs (clarinets) and Yours Truly.
Order your tickets here: Amsterdam / Rotterdam.
A preview made by the Concertgebouw, featuring Ben van Gelder on a new composition called “Trills”:
“The Dramatic Demise of Princess Dolasilla” (live performance at Podium Witteman):
Gigantic Chamber Music Mini Festival
Edison Award for Reinier Baas vs. Princess Discombobulatrix
‘Discombobulatrix’ was awarded an Edison for best album in the category Jazz/World National! From the jury rapport: “With his new project, a very successful amalgam of jazz and classical music, he proves again that he is to be considered a musical grandmaster.” Reinier Baas vs. Princess Discombobulatrix is a mostly instrumental, partly improvised opera, ft. […]
‘Discombobulatrix’ deluxe edition tin box up for pre-order
Reinier Baas vs. Princess Discombobulatrix is a mostly instrumental, partly improvised opera, brought to you by a septet ft. Ben van Gelder, Joris Roelofs and Martijn Vink. The record, with additional strings, woodwinds and vocals, will be out on September 16th 2016. The music will be released as a limited edition tin cigar box including […]
Smooth Jazz Apocalypse LIVE
Smooth Jazz Apocalypse LIVE is up on Spotify. The band is Harmen Fraanje (who wrote Aneris and Ballad), Joris Roelofs, Ben van Gelder, Maarten Hogenhuis, Mark Schilders and Sean Fasciani. Recorded at the Bimhuis by Micha de Kanter in April 2014.
Metropole Orchestra videos online
Footage of our project with the Metropole Orchestra is online (!): Ben’s ‘Silver/Grey’ and my tune ‘Stuiter’, both arranged by Gerd Hermann Ortler, and ‘Smooth Jazz Apocalypse’, arranged by Christian Elsässer, who also conducted the project.
Ben van Gelder trio / Metropole Orchestra stream
Looking forward to the last show of a small, yet enormous tour with Ben van Gelder and Han Bennink, at the Bimhuis tonight. A lot of new music by Mr. van Gelder, lo-high combo’s on alto and people dancing frantically to Mr. Bennink playing on various objects, animals and persons. Also, high-end audio and video […]
Metropole Orchestra ft. Ben van Gelder & Reinier Baas
I’m highly excited to announce that Ben van Gelder and I will be performing with the incredible Metropole Orchestra next month. We’re playing two shows with beautiful arrangements of our music at LantarenVenster, Rotterdam (Jan 15th) and Westergastheater, Amsterdam (Jan 16th). Conducted by Christian Elsässer. Arrangements by Christian, Rob Horsting, Daniel Jamieson, Gerd Hermann Ortler […]
Premiere concerto for guitar and brass / carte blanche Zaal 100
On Sunday November 8th ‘Music for guitar and brass’ will be premiered at November Music Festival in Den Bosch, featuring Jean-paul Estiévenart, Morris Kliphuis, Jan Oosting and Martin van den Berg. The music sounds very cerebral and highly undanceable, but there is a passage that resembles a moose’s courtship display, and the quartet can make […]
Reinier Baas vs Princess Discombobulatrix
In light of the coming Princess Discombobulatrix festivities next week, Stefan de Graaf asked me several questions in a row for Jazzenzo online magazine. Thomas Huisman made some wonderful pictures of me face down in various kinds of soil. Words are in Dutch. Read the interview here. Upcoming shows: Bimhuis July 7th, Lantaren Venster July […]
Vink, Fraanje, Baas / New Zealand & Australia tour with TMSRJME
On February 23rd, sizeable Harmen Fraanje, majestuous Martijn Vink and the enormous wizard Zendor Zwordek invited a small group of tiny people to attend one of their sets of free improv at their practice space. Many thanks to Lucas, Carlos and Ayako for recording, editing and mixing the concert beautifully. Coming up: New Rotterdam Jazz […]