Dutch Jazz Perfomances in the US Fall 2017

This fall, various Dutch Jazz artists will perform throughout the US. This blog will help you out with who is playing, when and where!

Vivienne Aerts

Originally from the Netherlands, Vivienne Aerts worked with renowned Jazz artists such as Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, John Patitucci and Joanne Brackeen at Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a creator and a performer, her music refers to the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Miles Davis. Vivienne has shared the stage with both national and international Jazz icons such as Lee Konitz, Kenny Werner, Chris Potter, Joe Cohn and Florian Weber.  In 2009, Vivienne released her first album “Roofgarden” in the Netherlands under her own label. Her second album “Polaroid” (a snappy Jazz a cappella EP) was released in 2012, recorded and produced with Australian electronic producer Geoff Baker.

• September 3, Rock Wood Music Hall (New York, NY)
• October 12, The Netherlands Club of New York (New York, NY)
• October 24, Berklee College w/ Kenny Werner (Boston, MA)
• November 14, Lilypad w/ Kenny Werner (Boston, MA)

Romy Balvers

Growing up in Amsterdam, Dutch songwriter Romy began performing on the piano when she was seven years old. Inspired by artists such as Carole King, Joe Jackson, Kate Bush, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell and Elton John, she began writing her own songs, expressing her unique perspective and emotions. 

• September 6, Rock Wood Music Hall (New York, NY)

Jorn Swart

Dutch pianist Jorn Swart, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, drew inspiration for this project from classical composers like Maurice Ravel, Bela Bartok and Paul Hindemith. He combines these influences with elements of jazz, creating an atypical sound that can be both lyrical and nostalgic, and abstract and unpredictable. His melancholic themes turn suddenly into unruly improvisations or sparkling romanticism.

• September 10, Cornelia Street Café (New York, NY)

Philippe Lemm Trio

The Philippe Lemm Trio, comprised of Dutch drummer Philippe Lemm and American pianist and bassist Angelo Di Loreto and Jeff Koch, respectively, houses a dynamically creative, exciting, and fresh sound, spanning multiple influences from all of its members. The trio won the International B-Jazz competition in 2015 and the group’s performance of Di Loreto’s original composition “Salt Road” earned an ASCAP Jazz Composer Award in 2013. The three musicians met during their master’s degree at Manhattan School of Music in 2011, where they quickly realized that they had an undeniable musical chemistry and understanding of each other’s musical personalities. 

• October 6, Velvet Note (Alpharetta, GA)
• October 7, The Grape and Grain Exchange (Jacksonville, FL)
• October 8, Blue Bamboo (Winter Park, FL)
• October 9, Lagniappe (Miami, FL)
• October 10, The Corner (Miami, FL)
• October 11, Sunset Tavern (Miami, FL)
• October 26, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts (Washington, DC)

Joris Teepe

Arriving in New York in 1992 with just his bass and a suitcase, Joris Teepe quickly met many musicians, started to work a lot and a year later he recorded his first CD, co-led by Don Braden and featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Carl Allen and Tom Harrell. From that point everything really took of for Joris and he became a bassist in great demand and he has been working with the “who is who in Jazz” from Benny Golson to Randy Brecker to Rashied Ali. Joris now has recorded 8 albums as a leader. He also established himself as a composer, record producer (many different labels and artists), educator (director of Jazz Studies at the Hanze University) and bandleader.

• September 12, Goddard Riverside Community Arts Center (New York, NY)
• September 30, The Packing House (Willington CT)
• October 22, St. Paul’s Lutheran Chruch (Teaneck, NJ)

Saskia Laroo

Born July 31, 1959 in Amsterdam, Saskia Laroo began on trumpet at age 8, never dreaming of becoming a professional musician. That all changed when Saskia, turned 18, after briefly majoring in mathematics at University of Amsterdam switched her focus to a career in music. She worked extensively in various groups from this point, at first mostly on upright bass, though eventually, on both bass and trumpet; the trumpet became her main instrument. Saskia Laroo combines today’s music by uncontrived romps into new styles, eagerly limned as “nu jazz” or “swingin’ body-music”–a vivacious blend of hip-hop, jazz, salsa, funk reggae, and world, that many other artists dare not venture. Her artistry and her groove ring vibrantly and free on her seven albums journeying us through the music she has absorbed and plays from heart and soul.

• September 13, North End Farmers Market (Hartford, CT)
• September 16, The Emanuel Synagogue (West Hartford, CT)
• September 20, The Temple Sharey (Orange, NJ)
• September 30, Flying Monkey (Hartford, CT)
• October 7, Sandisfield Arts Center (Sandisfield, MA)

Rose Ellis

Rose Ellis is a vocalist and songwriter originally from the Netherlands. Before moving to New York City 5 years ago, she lived in Austria where she studied with acclaimed pianist/vocalist Dena DeRose. Rose has been a successful songwriter since the age of 17, writing for the popular band ROOS. with whom she recorded 2 albums. In 2011 she received the Huygens Talent Scholarship from the Dutch government to pursue a master’s degree in New York. Nowadays she is based in New York City, working as a vocalist and songwriter performing throughout the US and Europe.

• October 10, Cornelia Street Cafe (New Yor, NY)

Thaisa Olivia

Thaïsa Olivia is a passionate jazz vocalist and songwriter based in Amsterdam the Netherlands, with a warm, distinctive sound and a special flair of presentation. Her background is colorful and versatile, the same applies to her concerts. Beautiful and contemporary jazz originals take turns with a variety of freshly-arranged jazz standards. From groovy swing and sophistication to sensuality and contemplation, always delivered with vitality and persuasion. Thaïsa Olivia first fell in love with jazz in New Orleans. Since then, she has been performing on a variety of stages in the Netherlands and other European countries as well. 

• October 11, Pangea (New York, NY)
• November 9, Cornelia Street Cafe (New York, NY)