Mark
Mark
Born 12-June-1963 in Tübingen (Germany) Mark grew up in Thailand, Uganda and Germany. Mark started playing the flute at age seventeen and has studied both jazz and classical/contemporary music at the Amsterdam 'School of Arts' in the Netherlands. His professional activities include composing as well as performing in musical settings ranging from improvised music, jazz, beat & world music.
Mark performed and recorded with a.o. Najma Akthar, Miguel "Anga Diaz", David Tronzo, Zuco 103, Petar Ralchev, Amelia Pedroso, Michael Vatcher, Sandip Battacharrya, Wolter Wiebos, Molla Sylla, Alan Laurillard, Alberto 'Molote' Munoz, Vitold Rek, Denise Jannah, Eddie Martinez, Sfeq 3000, Michael Baird, Nicky Marrero, Joe Santiago, Rafiuddin Sabri, Michael Moore, Frank Rodriguez, Michiel Borstlap, Droeh Nankoe, Harry Sparnay, Lucumi, members of the Clavé y Guaguanco, Conjunto Folklorico National de Cuba and Conjunto Folklorico de Oriente.
Read Mark's CV for more details.
Maarten
With his band 'Scapes' Maarten won the 1989 Middlesea Jazz Festival Concours as well as the 1990 'Leverkusen Jazz Festival Competition'. In 1990 he was awarded the price as best soloist at the 'Meervaart Competition'.
While studying jazz at The Hague he also studied bass clarinet under Harry Sparnay.
Maarten recorded CDs for Timeless, EMI, and VIA Records. He toured with international stars such as Sunny Murray, Peter Erskine, Thomas Chapin and Marc Johnson.
Maarten studied Bansuri flute and Indian music in Rotterdam under Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurassia.
Marc
Marc is prizewinner and finalist of the 1989 "International Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition", Washington, the Amsterdam Jazz Concours and the Martial Solal Piano Concours, Paris. He performed and recorded with international stars like Clark Terry, Dave Liebman, Chuck and Bob Findley, Billy Hart, Santi di Briano, the Metropele Jazz Orchestra, Art Farmer and Ack van Rooyen. Also he wrote Balletmusic for the Modern Djazzdance company "Djazzex", the Scapino Rotterdam and the "Nederlands Danstheater" at the Hague.
Eric
Eric graduated at the Marseille Conservatory for his study of Classical and Jazz bass and at the ìAmsterdam Conservatory" for Jazz bass with cum laude. His truly tastefull playing and musical skills soon led to numerous performances with international stars like a.o. Serge Lazarevitch, Ronnie Patterson, Ernst Rijzeger, Matt Wilson, Tom Rainey, Toots Thielemans and David Berkman. He leads and composes for his piano trio and and his string trio.
Michael
Michael started his career in California where he worked as a sideman with such as John Handy, Vi Redd, and Terry Gibbs. Since moving to Holland in 1981 he has been involved in many dance, theatre, and music projects - the list includes the Toneel Group Amsterdam, Dog Troupe,Tom Varner Quartet, Tristan Honsinger sextet, Maarten Altena, Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, Guus Janssen, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Steve Beresford ,George Lewis, Available Jelly, Georg Graewe, Mark Dresser, Joey Baron, The Ex, Curtis Clark, Misha Mengelberg, Michael Moore. Michael is a regular dance accompanist at the School for New Dance Development in Amsterdam.
Liber was born in Havana, Cuba and became the drummer of the Cuban Nr. 1 salsa orchestra NG-La Banda at the early age of 18. Since he has moved to Holland Liber quickly became the most asked for latin-drummer/timbalero. Still developing and exposed to the living jazz scene in Holland Liber nowadays has evolved into a highly interesting jazz drummer and his new skills are much in demand. Toured all over Europe, Cuba and Japan. Played with: NG-La Banda, Banda PG, Ramón Valle Trio, Rumbatá, La Banda Iré, Bomba Moderna, Laura Fygi, Eddy Martinez, and many many others.
Jazmin
Jazmin worked in Cuba as dancer with Conjunto Folclorico, Raices Profundas and Conjunto Folclorico National. As actress, singer and dancer she appeared in several European Television and Theater productions. As singer Jazmin performed with among others Patato Valdez, Alfredo Rodriguez, Jesus Alemani and Tata Güines.
Martha
Born in Havana, July 1969. Daughter of Cuba's most prominent singer and percussionist, Lazaro Galarraga. Brought up with Yoruban tradition of singing and dance of the Afro Cuban spiritual culture. Since 1990 member of and since 1993 first singer of "Conjunto Folclorico National de Cuba". Teacher of Yoruba, Congo, Arará, Tumba Francesa- Franco Haitiano, Gaga, Caravali, Rumba, Son, Chachacha, Mambo, Salsa, as well as of Yoruban percussion. Toured in Korea, China, all over Europe, Mexico, Canary Islands, Spain, USA and Guadeloupe. Recorded for Radio, TV-shows and CDs featuring among others Rikhy Ray and Clavé y Guanguanco.
Jorge and Ivan
Iwan graduated at the Escuela Nactional del Arte, Havana for Modern and Folcloric Dance. He worked as the first and the solo dancer at the 'Danza Contemporanea de Cuba', Havana 'corps ballet'. His numerous tours with that ensemble brought him to South America and all over Europe. Iwan worked with Company 'Christian Emmanuel' from Martinique and illuminous choreografers as Arthur Rosenveld.
Jorge graduated at the 'Instituto Superior de Artes' as classic and modern composer! He has been for five years the musical director and composer of the 'Ballet Folklorico de Santiago de Cuba'. In the Netherlands, Jorge continued his work as choir conductor and vocals teacher and became co-founder of and teacher at the 'Cuban School for Dance and Music' in Haarlem, The Netherlands. As a singer, pianist, dancer and percussionist he participates in numerous ensembles, besides leading, composing and arranging for his own ensembles 'Jorge Martinez de Cuba y Lagrimas Negras' and 'La Sonora de Galan'.
José Ariel
Ariel was born 1952 in Santiago de Cuba within a family very much involved in Afro Cuban religious traditions. This background is responsible for his tremendous knowledge not only of the spiritual world but also of the West African originated music of the Arará, Yoruba, etc. Soon his talents were recognized and resulted in working as singer at very young age with the "Coro infantil conservatorio Esteban Salas" and the "Coro Orfeon Santiago". Ariel developed his talent as singer, dancer, choreographer and as actor at the "Conjunto Folklorico de Oriente", the "Cabaret Tropicana de Santiago de Cuba" and the "Cabildo Teatral Santiago de Cuba". His professional career spans 18 years heading the prestigious "Conjunto Folklorico de Oriente" as first dancer and singer! Tours all over the world with various Cuban Ensembles.
Javier
As legal heir apparent of master drummer Regino and omo aña (sacred master drummer) Javier is Havana's most prominent performer of the young generation of Batá drumming. At present professor at the 'Instituto Superior del Arte' in Havana and the Conservatory of Rotterdam. Tours brought him all over Europe as well as Peru and Venezuela. Javier recorded for Pan Records, Via Records and World Network.
Jos studied Latin American percussion at the Conservatories at Hilversum and Rotterdam, the Netherlands as well as in Cuba. In 1994 and 1996 he studied African percussion in Guinee. Besides with his own band 'Africa Sabu Njouma' Jos performs in Latin Jazz settings as well as with Brazilian groups and even in Boogaloo flavoured ensembles. He recorded several CDs with - among others - the 'New Cool Colective', Jesse van Ruller and with the crossover jazz group 'Sfeq'.
Jens
Jens graduated at the Rotterdams Conservatory, the Netherlands, for Latin American Percussion under amongst others Giovanni Hidalgo, Armando Peraza, Orestes Vilato and Nicky Marrero. In Cuba he intensified his studies with Mario Jarequi, Los Papines and Jose Luis Quintana (Changuito) and at the Conservatorio Esteban Salas in Santiago de Cuba. As a much in demand sideman, Jens performed and recorded with numerous national an international ensembles in and outside of Europe.
Maria Estela
Maria is a dancer rooted in Afro Cuban folkloric traditions. She started her career as foto model and dancer at her birthplace Camaguey, Cuba. After working with the Havana dance ensemble "Pinos Nuevos" Maria finished her education with the prestigious "Conjunto Folklorico National de Kuba". She is mainly associated by her work as dancer and first soloist of the dance ensembles "Conjunto Folklorico Raices Profundas" and the Rumba group "Yoruba Andabo". With this ensembles as well with her own group "Coral Negro", she toured all over Europe. Maria worked with a.o. with Tata Güines, Merceditas Valdez, Celeste Mendoza, Omara Portundo, Charanga Habanera, Bobby Carcasses.
Born in San Luis, Santiago de Cuba, Rafael was brought up within the traditions of Afro-Cuban religious folklore. He started his career as a performer of Afro-Cuban dance at a very young age with the "conjunto folklorico de jovenes aficionados de San Luis". He is now recognized as a specialist in Afro-Cuban dances such as the Bembe, Rumba, Yoruba, Afro-Haitiano, Congo: palo, yuka y makuta, Conga Santiagera: Tahona. Rafael's extraordinary talent led to engagements with various dance ensembles including the "Cabaret Guaninicun de Santiago de Cuba" and the "Ballet Folklorico El Cutumba". His dance performances were featured all over the world at renowed Festivals all over Europe and Mexico.
Born August 10 1970 in Nairobi, Kenya. After studying Anthropology at the University of Nairobi John started dancing professionally and ended up studying dance at the School voor Nieuwe Dansontwikkeling (S.N.D.O.), at the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten. As dancer and choreographer John worked with Shireen Strooker, Magpie Music Dance Company, Katie Duck, Russel Hexter, Rikka Immanen, Frank Shepherd, Lucienne Vidah and the FAHARI TRADITIONAL DANCERS (Kenya Musical Conservatorium Dance Group). Besides his activities as actor, dancer and choreographer John also conducts dance workshops for Contemporary Dance as well as African Dance.
Born May 15 1973 in Amsterdam. Oene studied violin and composition at the Conservatory of Rotterdam. His activities as composer, violin soloist and percussionist range from modern jazz and improvised music to theatre productions. As leader of his own formations "Zapp" and "Geel!" and as a composer Oene was finalist at the International Jazz Competition at Gexto 1997, Spain, the Amersfoorts Jazz Festival Competition 1997 as well as Nederlands Jazz Concourse 1998. Now he studies Indian and contemporary music at the Conservatory of Amsterdam under Raphael Reina.
Tony studied bass and majored at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague with special merits. He gained awards as the most promising young Dutch jazz musician of the year 1989, and awards at the Leverkusen '89, Meervaart '89 and Middelsee '89 Competitions. Tony played and recorded with musicians like David Murray, Sunny Murray, Marjorie Barnes, Thomas Chapin, Finley Brothers, Misha Mengelberg, Michel Godard, David Liebman, Sylvie Courvoisier, Dave Burrell and Idris Muhammed. His activities as composer range from classical contemporary music, ballet music, music for silent films and documentaries and modern jazz. Assignments for compositions were performed at Jazz Festivals, at the Holland Festival, at the European Film Festival in Nairobi (Kenya) and with the Scapino Ballet Company. He has toured through China, Middle East, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
Sandips style is determined by his blend of the two important Indian Tabla schools (Gharanas): the Benares Gharanaand as pupil of Pandit Ishwar Lal Mishra and the Farukhabad and Ajrara style under Pandit Arvind Mulgaonkar. Sandip has recorded and performed with Hari Prasad Chaurassia, Pandit VG Jog, Lakshmi Shankar, Shujaat Hussain Khan, Budhaditiya Mukherjee, Ust. Munawar Ali Khan, Ashok Pathak and others. Sandip has also performed with known Jazz, Flamenco, African and Japanese musicians. He composed music for modern ballet and soundtracks for documentary films. Sandip tours widely, playing concerts, giving workshops and presenting lectures and demonstrations all over the world .
Gideo is mainly known for his illustrous work for the Video department at the Tivoli venue in Utrecht. His live application of the medium is much in demand and has led to many performances at different venues and Festivals within the Netherlands. His broad scale of activities in applied videoproduction span: live-registration, visuals and a combination with band, dance and other performances. Soundshadow worked with a.o. Supafly (HipHop), Solid Grooves (Techno), Salsa Pasion, 'The Gathering', Pop-O-Matic, Dj. St. Paul and Dj. Gijsbert. His cooporation with the V-collective 'Switchdokters' (Oome Brothers) led to performances at the International Film Festival, Rotterdam 2000.
Michael performs in settings from solo to larger ensembles - in the Netherlands and abroad. Presently he performs regulary with his South Africa based quintet "Cape-Ability" and his Dutch septet "Trendy 3D Junk".
He played with a.o. Itolofiya, Monwabisi Sabani, Gijs Hendricks, Jasper van't Hoff and recorded Cd's as leader of "Sharp Wood" and "Utrecht Deep Artment" with a.o. Vitold Rek, David Tronzo, Michel Massot, Michael Moore and Hans Hasebos. Also he recorded together with Bert Barten the music for the nature documentary "The War of the Arts", for national and international radio and participated in several productions around artist Marijke Nielen.
His activities as producer implies releases of a series of CDs with historic recording of Hugh Tracy out of South and Central Africa, the CD "Batonga Across the Waters" with recordings from the Batonga people out of the Zambesi vally and numerous radio programs for a.o. the VPRO and VRT. Michael held workshops of music at the Rhodes University, Grahamstown, the Universities of Rhodes and Port Elizabeth in South-Afrika and in the Netherlands.
In 1973 Alan came to Holland and established himself soon as an active musician and composer. After his freefunk adventures with the Noodband, receiving the Boy Edgar prize in 1982, and his leadership of the very successful Greetje Bijma Kwintet, he redirected his attention to the modern developments in rap, trip hop and jungle music. Diverse recent projects such as The Link, Beat Dreams, Coalision, and Seafood are a direct concequence. More recent projects include Airgame, Jerkstation, the ensembles Beat Sharks, the young musicians group In Da Da Pocket and the church organ group with Peggy Larson Jodi Gilbert and Klaas Hoek.
Alan worked in different projects with a.o. Subroto Roy Chowdury, Klaas Hoek, sample specialist Tony Buck, Phil Minton, Ray Anderson, Bruno Tomazo, David Moss, Wolter Wierbos, Jaap Blonk. Alan conduted workshops in Nederland, Germany, Poland, Mexico and Kenia. Since 1981 Alan is the artistic director of the Luchtkasteelen church organ festival.
Doelman finished his study at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in 1992 with Rob van Kreeveld. He won the 'soloist price' of the 'Middlesea Jazz Festival Competition' in 1989. As pianist he worked with the 'Scapes' ( with whom he won the first price of the 'Leverkusen Jazz Festival Competition' in 1990) 'VogelVijf', the Big Band of Ruud Bos, the 'Niels Tausk Orchestra' and other ensembles. He teaches piano at the Maastricht Conservatory. CD recordings with 'Scapes' and Niels Tausk.
Sander studied with Hein v.d. Gein while at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Toured with various groups through Spain, the former Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Poland and Germany. Performed a.o. with Tim Armacost, John Ruocco, Rob van Bavel, Hein v.d. Gaag, Peter Guidi, Wim Overgaauw, Dimitri Shapko, Rick Hollander and Doug Sides.
A self-taught musician, performing professionally for about 15 years. Schroeder played with just about every known jazz musician in the Netherlands. Recorded with Hein v. d. Gaag and with the Rob Agerbeek Trio. A real 'musician's musician'.
Vogel is known by his work with Chet Baker, Charlie Rouse, Phil Wilson, Peter Leich, Robin Kenyatta, Sal Nistico, Jim Snidero, Paul Stocker, Joe Lovano, Jorge Pardo, Jean 'Toots' Thielemans, Loek Dikker, Herb Geller, Burton Greene and many others.
Besides being a sideman much in demand, his present activities include teaching and conducting workshops, as well as leading his own quintet 'VogelVijf'. With this band he recorded the CD 'This side up' for LopLop Productions. As composer, arranger and pianist he also participates in numerous groups and projects ranging from strictly composed to freely improvised (jazz?) music. CD recordings with 'Frank Grasso Big Band', Mathilde Santing, 'Serpanties', 'Verbeeck de Bruin Sextet', 'Erik Huele Band', 'A Modest Proposal' and 'VogelVijf'.
Born 17-July-1949 at The Hague. Between 1968-1972 Elseline studied at the Utrecht 'Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten Artibus'. Private studies under sculptor Mister Starreveld, Amersfoort. Her works of art can be seen at various locations in Holland. Exhibitions were held in Holland and Germany.