Semi-Final I April 11
BANDS
TINASE
Álvaro Zarzuela – trombone
Olav Schoorlemmer – trombone
Maarten Combrink – trombone
Jeroen Vermazeren – bass trombone
Chris Muller – piano
Ton Felices – double bass
Auke de Vries – drums
“A unique and energetic group of trombonists, together with a swinging rhythm section, forms TINASE. They are inspired by the natural elements represented in their name: titanium (Ti), sodium (Na), and selenium (Se). Ti, symbol of titanium, represents the strength and dedication of the ensemble. Na, symbol of highly reactive sodium, symbolizes the passion and energy that are felt during the music-making. Se, abbreviation for the rare element selenium, represents the touch of unpredictability and creativity that distinguishes TINASE from other ensembles. The combination of these elements leads to a unique sound that will surely impress the jazz audience. Additionally, each letter in the name TINASE forms the sentence: This Is Not A Saxophone Ensemble. A reflection on the intentionally chosen absence of the saxophone within the ensemble. We believe that a trombone ensemble with a rhythm section is a unique and exciting combination, as it allows the trombonists to showcase their versatility and range.
NJTA PROJECT
Antonio Moreno – trumpet
Micheal Murray – alto saxophone
Anja Gottberg – double bass
Magnus Austad – drums
NJTA PROJECT is an Amsterdam based quartet led by Swedish bassist-composer Anja Gottberg. In July 2022, they won the 1st prize of the Conad Jazz Competition - Umbria Jazz Festival, Italy “for the completeness of the project, the care in the arrangements, the technical quality, the stylistic and improvisational maturity.” As a bass player, Anja has already shared the stage with various established musicians such as Ernst Glerum and Jamie Peet and has been starting to write her own music for the past two years. Now, together with her new line up, they give these compositions a new life, allowing their own personalities and stories to shine through. Their music is inspired, among others, by the melancholic Swedish folk tradition, balancing between lyrical, songlike melodies and groovy bass lines. NJTA are currently in the process of making their debut album, consisting of their own compositions and new music.
BANDS
ANTE MEDIC OCTET
Micheal Murray – alto saxophone
Marios Charalampous – tenor saxophone
Paolo Petrecca – trumpet
Nicholas Adema – trombone
Dan Bluer – trombone
Ante Medic – guitar
Azubike Onwuka – bass
Diego Miranda – drums
Ante Medić Octet is an alternative jazz project. This ensemble has the energy of an experimental rock-’n-roll trio combined with the finer harmonies of a horn quintet. I’ve always tried to make use of traditional jazz idioms during the arranging and composing for this group, while also letting myself be inspired by different kinds of music genres en styles. That’s why I aspire to create a more personal output that doesn’t bind the music down to a fixed label. I aspire to create music that will appeal to people emotionally as well as intellectually by using formats that are being used by jazz composers who I admire, like Maria Schneider or Bob Brookmeyer, combined with my own input.
M.A.S.T.
Miguel Valente – alto saxophone
Adrian Bifano – guitar
Samuel Kiel – double bass
Teunis Loot – drums
M.A.S.T. is a dynamic modern jazz quartet based in Amsterdam, composed of Miguel Valente on saxophone, Adrian Bifano on guitar, Samuel Kiel on bass, and Teunis Loot on drums. As part of Amsterdam’s new generation of jazz musicians, M.A.S.T. seamlessly blends classic and contemporary styles, drawing inspiration from jazz legends such as Logan Richardson, Ambrose Akinmusire, Joe Henderson, and Paul Bley. The quartet’s music is characterized by intricate compositions, dynamic improvisation, and heartfelt expression.
DAAN SANDERS QUARTET
Daan Sanders – piano
Adrian Bifano – guitar
Stef Joosten – bass
Miklós Kovács – drums
Where jazz, fusion and classical come together: the Amsterdam-based Daan Sanders Quartet creates raw sounds and dreamy melodies. A journey from ferocious to calm; from Berlin to Amsterdam; from the rough guitar sound of Kurt Rosenwinkel to the sultry piano vibes of Brad Mehldau. Prepare for intense jazz that makes no bones about it: this is the Daan Sanders Quartet.
Semi-Final II April 12
BANDS
SAMUEL KIEL’S SONIC CHOIR
Miguel Valente – alto saxophone
Micheal Murray – alto saxophone
Ketija Ringa Karahona – flute
Francisco Garrido – guitar
Adrian Bifano – guitar
Mikael Asmundsson – guitar
Samuel Kiel – double bass
Ludvig Søndergaard - drums
Samuel Kiel’s Sonic Choir is not a choir. At least not in the sense that anyone is using their vocal chords to sing. But we are singing, and we are using our voices. We are all formed by different backgrounds and with different upbringings. We are all sculptured by the sounds and the music we’ve been exposed to. The songs my mom sang for me before falling asleep. The music he heard from an old CD lying behind the CD-player. The music she studied to become greater. We all have a voice and in this band we ARE using it. Together, with music composed by Samuel Kiel, we try our best to project our joined voices to the people. This 8-piece band takes you through a sonic memory lane, and inhabits a unique sound in the Amsterdam jazz scene. When you hear them, you will be reminded of bands like Paul Motion E.B.B.B or Keith Jarret’s American quartet.
IMPERFECT BREAD
Līva Dumpe – vocals
Federica Lorusso – piano
Aleksander Sever – vibraphone
Misha Voeykov – bass
Rod Oughton – drums
Sekou van Heusen – percussions
Hailing from various different corners of Europe, the members of Imperfect Bread bonded over their shared love of world music. The band plays the original music of British drummer/ composer Rod Oughton, who has been influenced by his travels in Brazil, Cuba and east Africa. Imperfect Bread was awarded the Incentive Prize at the 2022 ‘Keep an Eye International Jazz Award’ competition, and is gaining a reputation as being one of the most exciting new projects emerging from the Amsterdam jazz scene. They’ve performed at such venues as the Bimhuis (as part of the Rough Diamonds festival) and in Nieuw-Vennep (as part of the Meer Jazz Festival). They are currently working towards their debut album, which they expect to record in early 2023.
April
Semi-Final II
12
Semi-Finals
JURY SEMI-FINALS
Loes Rusch
Dr. Loes Rusch is a teacher of classical music history at the Jazz Department of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam as well as researcher and co-devolper of the jazz bachelor’s research programme. Rusch is regularly invited to lecture on topics related to music, such as cultural heritage, diversity in the arts, jazz and improvised music in the Netherlands and the role of women in jazz.
Lucas van Merwijk
Lucas van Merwijk has been at the forefront of the European jazz, latin and percussion scene for over 25 years. He works as a drummer and percussionist with numerous groups and artists in the Netherlands and Europe.
Tony Roe
Tony Roe is a pianist, composer & reinventor of music as one of the Tin Men in Tin Men & the Telephone. He transitioned smoothly into a musical career after studying design and music technology, which he followed with conservatory studies.
Maite Hontelé
Maite Hontelé is a cultural entrepeneur and Dutch trumpeter specializing in Latin and jazz trumpet. She has also worked as a programmer and artistic director at the Music Meeting Festival.
Yaniv Nachum
As a saxophonist, Yaniv Nachum has been playing with some of the best orchestras in the Netherlands and toured all over the world with various ensembles and his own jazz quartet. Besides that, he is active as a research coordinator, bandleader and teacher of theory, composition and improvisation at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
Semi-Finals
PRESENTER SEMI-FINALS
Anna-Maria Nitschke
Anna-Maria Nitschke is the senior producer and study advisor at the jazz department of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Nitschke studied voice at the CvA Jazz Department. Next to her work as a producer she serves as a curator, advisor and jury member for several art foundations and jazz competitions.
PRIZES SEMI-FINALS
Both finalists: €1.250,-
Incentive prize: €750,-
All semi-finalists receive coaching by visiting artists such as Ben Wendel, Randy Brecker and more.
COLOPHON
Concept Development
Conservatorium van Amsterdam & Keep an Eye Foundation
Production & PR
Anna-Maria Nitschke, Bas van Otterloo, Nicole van Hoeve
Recording engineer
Ido Zilberman
Live sound engineer
Nils Feenstra & Arjan Arwert
Graphic design
Peter te Bos (Twizter)
Printed matter
De Bondt, Drukwerkdeal
Many thanks to the Bimhuis, Amsterdam
KEEP AN EYE FOUNDATION
Jazz, fine arts, film, photography, design, fashion…
The Keep an Eye Foundation is always ‘on the lookout’ for aspiring young talent, such as musicians, artists, photographers, designers, filmmakers, and performing and circus artists By providing grants, together with the chance of winning prizes, and by co-organising a number of shows and festivals, we enable the aspiring young talent not just to develop their skills, creating new opportunities, but also to achieve their creative goals. The Keep an Eye Foundation additionally focuses on collaborations between different creative disciplines. This way we encourage students to view their work from a new perspective.
www.keepaneye.nl / www.galeriepouloeuff.nl
CALENDAR JAZZ DEPARTMENT 2023
April 14 - 16
April 20
April 20
April 24
April 29
May & June
May & June
June 26-30
Jazz Ensemble Festival II, Amsterdam Blue Note & Ensemblezaal
Masterclasses Ari Hoenig Trio feat. Nitai Hershkovits & Matt Penman Keep an Eye International Jazz Award Final, BIMHUIS
Tuesday Big Band conducted by Johan Plomp feat. Humphrey Campbell (voice), Amsterdam Blue Note
Rough Diamonds Round Midnight feat. Fabien Vouattoux Trio, BIMHUIS
Rough Diamonds Festival, BIMHUIS Bachelor & Master final exam concerts
Keep an Eye Summer Jazz Workshop 2023
For more information see our concert calendar: www.conservatoriumvanamsterdam.nl
CvA ONLINE
CvA Online is the online extension of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Crafted as an interactive video program, CvA Online offers you a structured and monitored learning path that will bring you the same passion for music that we share every day in our classrooms. Our online courses are the result of decades of teaching experience and are taught by the same renowned instructors that teach at the Conservatory of Music of Amsterdam.
For more information see www.cvaonline.nl
ARE YOU A /LOOKING FOR A MAKER? Are you a student or alumnus at one the many Dutch Art Institutes? Would you like to collaborate with another student or alumnus from another Dutch Art Institution? Submit your project at makerzoektmaker.nl & find your match! this is a project by the keep an eye foundation Check the website for all rules & Regulations www.makerzoektmaker.nl Every SIX MONTHS financial support up to €2.500,-!
BANDCOACHES April 19
Karolina Strassmayer
From a picture-perfect village in the Austrian Alps, to the jazz scene of New York City, to carrying the unique distinction of being the first woman in the WDR Big Band Cologne to leading her quartet KLARO!–alto saxophonist Karolina Strassmayer is on a quest for adventure and authenticity. Jazz writers called her “one of the most interesting saxophonists of her generation” (Doug Ramsey), a “supreme balladeer” (Arnaldo DeSouteiro) and the readers of Downbeat Magazine voted her among the best on her instrument several years in a row in the polls. She has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and her discography includes over 80 recordings, 9 of which were either nominated for or received a Grammy.
Strassmayer is a professor for jazz saxophone at the Folkwang Universtity of the Arts in Essen. KLARO! is a compelling quartet in collaboration with her partner in music and life, New York drummer Drori Mondlak. They have crystallized their artistic visions into an original and deeply personal sound. Outstanding musicians like pianist Rainer Böhm, vibraphonist David Friedman or bassists Hans Glawischnig and Thomas Stabenow, complete the quartet. Before joining the WDR Big Band in 2004, Strassmayer immersed herself in the New York jazz scene for over 15 years, playing with Chico Hamilton, the Diva Jazz Orchestra and many others. ■
BANDCOACHES April 19
Clemens van der Feen
After some occasional drumming on various items, Clemens began singing and playing bass in the band of his older brothers (the Feenbrothers) at the age of eleven. Later on, he studied jazz and classical bass at the Conservatories of Amsterdam and Detmold (Germany) and received his Master Degree in both fields with honors. After playing with orchestras like the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, his main focus became jazz and improvised music. He lived in New York for a while to take lessons with Ben Street, among others. Returning to the Netherlands, he grew out to be one of the most sought-after bass players around.
In 2010 Clemens started the Clemens van der Feen Band, resulting in an album called “High Places” (2011), with as special guest the great Toots Thielemans! The year 2013 saw the birth of yet a new band, the Clemens van der Feen 4tet, and a new album:
“14PM” which was called “one of the highlights of Dutch contemporary jazz…” by Jazzism Magazine. In 2022 he released a singer-songwriter album called ‘Pop into Being’ under the name Clemens Zebulon. Clemens is currently working with Tutu Puoane (SA), the Paul Lay Trio (FR)and the Harmen Fraanje Trio. In 2021, Clemens was invited to play in the Brad Mehldau Quartet at the Transmission-Transition Festival. Clemens has performed with many other great musicians such as the late Toots Thielemans, Jesse van Ruller, Fred Hersch, Tony Malaby, Pablo Held, Reinier Baas, Ben van Gelder, Chris Potter, Nelson Veras, Dré Pallemaerts, Becca Stevens, Jorge Rossy, Greg Osby, Marc Copland, Lionel loueke, Jeff Ballard, Ben Monder and Billy Hart.
Clemens has been playing all over the world, from jazz clubs in Paris and Tokyo to the Musikverein in Vienna and Carnegie Hall in New York. ■
FINAL April 20
JURY FINAL
Ari Hoenig
Ari Hoenig is a jazz drummer, composer, and educator known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasizing complex rhythms in direct harmony with other group members. Ari is widely noted particularly for elevating drumming as an indispensable part of the performance.
Matt Penman
Matt Penman maintains an international performing, recording and teaching schedule as one of jazz music’s most in-demand bassists. He is an established member of the SFJazz Collective. As a teacher, Matt recently became part of the faculty of the new Roots, Jazz and American Music program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Frank van Berkel
Programmer at the BIMHUIS: The BIMHUIS is familiar territory for the programmer as in the 80s and 90s he was regularly seen on stage. From 2006 until 2017 Frank has programmed for Jazz International Rotterdam. He coached young talented musicians and was the financial director of the New Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra.
Raluca Baicu
Raluca Baicu is the artistic curator and program coordinator of the North Sea Round Town Festival in Rotterdam. She is also a music programmer at BIRD and BIRDfest, where she focuses on talent development and special projects. Raluca is also the jazz programmer of De Doelen concert hall in Rotterdam.
Karolina Strassmayer
Alto saxophonist, member of the WDR Big Band Cologne, bandleader, professor for jazz-saxophone at the Folkwang University in Essen, founder and director of the Folkwang Mentors for Women in Jazz program and empowerment teacher for women in jazz.
PRESENTER FINAL
Andrew Makkinga
Andrew was only 17 years old when he started to stand out in Het Jongeren Lagerhuis (VARA). Since then, he has developed himself as a versatile presenter and interviewer who has been working for the radio and television for over 20 years. Andrew is an active member of the Raad van Toezicht and het Fonds Podiumkunsten. With two programs at the NPO Radio Soul and Jazz, and as a host of the North Sea Jazz Festival, music has taken one of the main roles in his work.
FINAL April 20
ENSEMBLES 5 & 6
Winners Semi-Finals CvA
PRIZES INTERNATIONAL FINAL
Keep an Eye International Jazz Award
(sculpture design by Jules Bernard)
First Prize: €3.000,-
Second Prize: €2.000,-
Incentive Prize: €1.000,-
Best ‘New Standards’ arrangement: €1.000,-
Best CvA soloist: participation in the Siena Jazz International Summer Workshop 2023
Best non-CvA soloist: participation in the Summer Jazz Workshop 2023, Amsterdam
FINAL April 20
ENSEMBLE 3
KRSIX (Royal Academy of Music, London)
Kasper Rietkerk – alto saxophone
Max Mcleish – trombone
Alex Lockheart – guitar
Benji Brown – keys
Toby Yapp – bass
Jonah Evans – drums
KRSIX is an instrumental sextet led by saxophonist Kasper Rietkerk. Their narrative music is most reminiscent of something between Brian Blade’s Fellowship of Acoustic and Radiohead. They did their first few shows in the spring of 2021 in London, where they are based. The music is rooted in jazz, but you can hear influences from rock to folk and blues music. All the music is written and arranged by Kasper and the songs are mostly influenced by things that happened after he moved to London. In April 2022, Kasper will record his debut album with this band. In the past, Kasper has recorded and played with the likes of John Carol Kirby & Eddie Chacon, Ruben Hein, Ntjam Rosie, Marcus Tenney (Butcher Brown) and RICO. He is part and producer of the band Das Sound Kollektiv and plays in the Emma Rawicz Jazz Orchestra.
ENSEMBLE 4
The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors (Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Boston)
Sheila Del Bosque Fuentes – flute
Charlotte Lang – saxophone
Zahili Gonzalez Zamora – piano
Ian Ashby – double bass
Francesca Remigi – drums
The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors is the BGJI premiere graduate ensemble representing the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) program. The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors perform at International and national jazz events as well as conduct educational and humanitarian outreaches for children from underprivileged communities, correctional centers, senior assisted facilities and mental institutions. The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors are coached on a weekly basis by some of the leading jazz artists in the world, including BGJI Artistic Director Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ben Street, Tia Fuller and many others.
FINAL April 20
ENSEMBLE 1
The Harlem Unity Project (Manhattan School of Music, New York)
Alexandra Ridout – trumpet
Erena Terakubo – alto saxophone
Vittorio Stropoli – piano
Conway Campbell – bass
Miguel Russell – drums
With trumpeter Alexandra Ridout, named one of London’s “Most Influential People under 25” in 2019; saxophonist Erena Terakubo, whose debut album reached #1 in her native Japan; New York pianist and four-time Downbeat Award winner Vittorio Stropoli; bassist Conway Campbell Jr., a Louis Armstrong Award recipient for outstanding achievement; and drummer Miguel Russell, launched by the Harlem School of the Arts and performing professionally since the age of 5, the Harlem Unity Project is a diverse and prodigious group of students from Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
ENSEMBLE 2
Knuets/Sécula Quartet
(Jazzcampus der Hochschule für Musik FHNW, Basel)
Eliott Knuets – guitar
Noé Sécula – piano
Joan Codina – bass
Genius Lee Wesley – drums
The music of the Eliott Knuets/Noé Sécula Quartet draws inspiration from various sources but seizes a specific sound ideal, that each member of the group shares. In the collective vision of their quartet, three words are leading their compositional and the playing choices: Innovation, elasticity and fire. Innovation in, first and foremost, the compositions, not so much by reinventing the wheel as by finding intelligent and subtle ways to give a novel aspect to the numerous influences and traditions that flow into and have shaped their process of composing and conceiving music. Eliott and Noé have have regularly workshopped and developed each other’s compositions, and through this exchange, have shaped the way their compositional work is performed by the group. Elasticity might be the most important part of this group’s approach. The four musicians of this band are technically accomplished players, all able to stretch out in improvisation and musical interaction. Fire represents the authenticity and force of this group. By listening to the masters, the group realized that the unique force of swing and deep connection of the players in a group creates a sensation of a fire impossible to extinguish, and it is what they are striving for in their playing.
and visiting artists work intensively in regular ensemble and jazz orchestra projects throughout the year, supporting students’ artistic and professional development to the highest international levels.
Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Boston
The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) is a creative music institute with a progressive vision to develop the artist of the new millennium, with pianist and composer Danilo Pérez as its artistic director. Since 2010, the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) has pioneered the development of a Global Jazz curriculum at Berklee College of Music in Boston, promoting music that is inclusive and welcoming of different nationalities, indigenous instruments and folk music. Since then, the BGJI has become a thriving place where creative music, social activism, education and interconnected learning find their common tones through the lenses of jazz. The BGJI is designed to help instrumentalists and vocalists with unique talent and wideranging musical interests achieve their artistic goals through an experiential and interdisciplinary approach. Developing artists who seek to evolve to the highest levels, as both musicians and human beings find a true home in the BGJI environment, which provides both the support and range of challenges necessary for sustained creative growth.
Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Amsterdam
The Conservatorium van Amsterdam is deeply committed to excellence in education, performance and creative activity and to the cultural enrichment of the larger community. A premier international conservatory, we inspire and empower highly talented individuals to realize their potential. For this, we offer bachelor’s and master’s degree courses in classical, jazz and popular music, a Music in Education program and the National program for young top talents. The main purpose of the Jazz program is to educate young, gifted students to become strong, independent and original musicians, who can perform, teach and write and above all shape their own musical future. The educational program, the faculty members, and a dynamic environment guarantee that those who are admitted can optimally develop their personal qualities. The rich cultural resources in Amsterdam, one of the leading musical centers of Europe, and specifically designed new building with four concert halls and high-quality facilities all contribute to an optimal setting.
FINAL April 20
Amsterdam University of the Ar ts
The following prestigious music schools of the United States and Europe will compete against each other in the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award 2023:
Manhattan School of Music, New York
Manhattan School of Music prepares highly talented students for careers as passionate performers and composers, and as imaginative, effective leaders in the arts. Our international student body thrives in a supportive atmosphere that encourages excellence, values individuals and welcomes innovation. MSM’s artist faculty inspires the performance, creation and knowledge of great music, while exchange programs, distance learning and entrepreneurial opportunities expand the School’s reach. Offering hundreds of concert presentations and community events each year, Manhattan School of Music is a vigorous contributor to the cultural fabric of New York City and an important player on the world stage.
Jazzcampus der Hochschule für Musik FHNW, Basel
Offering a state-of-the-art learning environment featuring an outstanding faculty including Lionel Loueke, Larry Grenadier, Jeff Ballard, Brad Mehldau, Jorge Rossy, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Guillermo Klein and Mark Turner, as well as a truly exceptional campus and infrastructure, the Jazz Institute of the Hochschule für Musik Basel, Jazzcampus, counts among the most highly reputed Higher Music Education institutions, both nationally and internationally. We believe that the network and community created through collaboration and exchange during the studies will remain relevant throughout the entire professional career. Our students get regular performance practice both on campus, in several beautiful performance spaces, as well as by cooperating with the professional field. Students also get to regularly document their work in the on-campus recording studio. The study programs include a three-year bachelor degree program, a master program offering three different focus areas (performance, composition and production) with flexible possibilities of combination with a second and even third field of expertise, and a master program focusing on teaching jazz.
Royal Academy of Music, London
The Royal Academy of Music’s Jazz department has produced outstanding musicians known for their creativity and versatility since its foundation in 1987. Although it is the smallest course of its kind in London, its impact on the international jazz scene is mighty. Our alumni are found at the very top of the music industry across a diverse range of genres within the jazz world and beyond. Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes support students to find their own unique artistic voice, which speaks equally across performance, improvisation and composition. The musical focus, which is broad, skill-based and rooted in the tradition, is complemented by a strong culture of contemporary, small ensemble performance and original composition among the student community. A world-class roster of regular faculty
FINAL April 20
www.conservatoriumvanamsterdam.nl www.keepaneye.nl FREE ADMISSION New York - Basel - Amsterdam - Boston - London FINAL April 20 20:00 hrs BIMHUIS
