Yes indeed—we’re heading into summer! And at Wester-Amstel, that means plenty of work in the garden and park. It also means that our monthly jazz concerts, held on the first Sunday afternoon of each month, will take a brief pause.
As is tradition, we’ll bring the season to a close during Amstelland Day, which takes place this year on Sunday 1 June. That afternoon, the Damien Mehldau Quartet will perform. Weather permitting, the concert will be held outdoors in the garden; if not, it will move indoors to the Park Hall.
No ticket is required—this concert is part of the Amstelland Day festivities and is free of charge. What a lovely way to round off the season!
Outdoor jazz concert by Damien Mehldau (1 June | 15:00-16:15)
Damien Mehldau (17) grew up in a musical family — though none played the drums, until he did.
A finalist in the prestigious Princess Christina Jazz Competition, he was praised for his dynamic swing, echoing the styles of master drummers Billy Higgins and Art Taylor.
As with last year, we conclude Amstelland Day by giving the stage to emerging talent. We are delighted to welcome Damien back this year. From 15:00–16:15, he will perform at Wester-Amstel alongside virtuoso guitarist Durk Hijma, young Spanish bassist Ton Felices, and fellow finalist Joep Grotendorst, tenor saxophonist.
Did you enjoy our jazz concerts?
As far as the organisers are concerned, the jazz concerts in the 2024-2025 season were again little gems that we enjoyed experiencing with you. The wonderful music made those Sunday afternoons more than worth a visit to Wester-Amstel. This year, we shone a spotlight on female lead musicians.
Remember Susanne Alt, who opened the season on 6 October with her phenomenal alto saxophone? And what about Deborah J. Carter and Thaïsa Olivia, who performed on 3 November and 1 December respectively? Their music captivated the audience. It was fantastic to witness the interaction between the musicians and the public.
January 2025 brought a moment of calm after the busy festive period, but by February, we were ready to enjoy the performance of Sara Bax, and in March, Graziella Hunsel Rivero had the room buzzing with energy. Fleurine joined us in April—although, “guest” might not be quite the right word. Fleurine is our rock when it comes to organising the concerts. We are incredibly fortunate that this international star has committed herself to Wester-Amstel, offering her invaluable support both on and off stage. And once each season, she treats us to a concert of her own. Last April, she brought the house down once again in a sold-out show.
Now, Damien Mehldau and his ensemble will bring the season to a close. We believe it’s important to give the spotlight to young jazz musicians in our final concert. On 1 June, they’ll show you exactly why we’re so excited to have them at Wester-Amstel. They are absolutely brilliant!
We also enjoyed highlighting other art forms during the concerts. The exhibitions by Ruud Vrieling, Jeroen Schmohl, and Bill Admiral gave these artists the chance to share their own stories.
And what did you think of our wine tasting during the concerts? We always try to add a little something extra to enhance your concert experience.
Looking Ahead: 2025–2026 Season
Yes, the jazz Sundays will return in the 2025–2026 season! Once again, you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic jazz on the first Sunday afternoon of each month. We will announce this season’s programme at the end of summer. After that, tickets will be available for purchase. Keep an eye on our website or become a friend of Wester-Amstel to receive immediate updates.
And so, from all of us on the concert organising team: have a wonderful summer. We hope to welcome you back to Wester-Amstel in October!
By: Herma De Heer