JAZZ
KEEPS YOU
YOUNG
And there they were again, white-haired, well-dressed, and swaying along on a fire-department-approved number of folding chairs: our regular entourage of 'Sunday Jazz at Wester-Amstel' attendees. Once again, the Park Hall was sold out. Organiser and neighbour Fleurine perched cross-legged on a table, while ‘Lady-of-the-house’ Herma joined the coffee ladies in the hallway, singing along in the corridor.
On stage this time was singer Deborah J. Carter – a true globalist: USA, Hawaii, Japan – but for the past 30 years, she has been captivated by her cello-playing husband, Mark Zandveld. For this performance, she selected a number of Beatles ballads that seemed to have been tailor-made by Lennon/McCartney for the Hoorn (NH)-based diva. It was a form of close harmony that practically reached out and touched those in the front row.
Last month, Susanne Alt was here playing an impressive saxophone. I mistakenly thought she was using a stage name, only to find out she was simply of German origin… so she is simply called Miss Old. We were happy to again welcome a female headliner, and it won’t be the last time this season. According to Fleurine, booking a female bandleader almost always means you get three top male musicians. Meanwhile, with male bandleaders, the few women in jazz (just 25%) are often left on the sidelines — and that’s something worth mentioning! So, at WA, we’re giving more women the lead role.
But not everything is smooth sailing here at ‘Loosdrecht on the Amstel’, as icy VAT clouds, inflation and shifting subsidies all loom on the horizon. As a result, we are forced to raise the entrance fees (mini-survey to follow).
We’ll continue steadily with as wide a variety as possible. Because on our Oriental rug (which not only mutes overly wild drummers, but also - allegedly - takes you on a magic journey lasting over an hour), we have already heard: Beatles jazz by Deborah J. Carter; own compositions by pianist Eric Verwey with harmonica player Hermine Deurloo; Surinamese vibes by Ronald Snijders; Swing jazz by Alexander Beets & Ellister van der Molen; sonic jazz by Anna Serierse and Gijs Idema; manouche jazz by Eva Scholten; Johann S. Bach jazz by Dasha & Peter Beets; as well as soul jazz by Carmen Gomes. Some of the performers were even fresh from the conservatory!
Still to come: the American Songbook by Thaïsa Olivia; hard bop from the youthful Damien Mehldau; the Ella & Louis Songbook by Graziella Hunzel Rivero; vocalist Sara Bax surrounded by ethereal photographs; as well as Brazilian and original compositions by our very own Fleurine .
When asked about her motivation, Fleurine says: “The common thread is improvisation. The audience at Wester-Amstel not only gets the cream of the crop of Dutch jazz, but also a unique experience with new flavours each time. This creates a friendly, monthly community that, in the new year, will again be able to enjoy Art on the Walls. And – speaking of flavours – we might even organise a wine tasting!”
And hopefully, like earlier this year, we’ll be able to set the chairs outside again. More legroom, the gazebo as a large speaker, and a remarkable dialogue between the musicians and the local birdlife.
None of this beauty, of course, would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers and the core jazz crew, consisting of: Herma, Taylor, Bibi, Ank, Joke, Lucie, Larry, Carla, Ruud, Fleurine, and Abhi. For more information – such as how to become a volunteer – visit our website at wester-amstel.nl , where you’ll also find a link to the ticket sales for all our concerts.
Text and Photos:: Ruud Vrielink