Amstel Quartet: American Dream
Remco Jak soprano sax, Olivier Sliepen alto sax, Bas Apswoude tenor sax, Harry Cherrin bariton sax
On the eve of the crucial American presidential elections, the Amstel Quartet presents their new album American Dream. For baritone saxophonist and American born Harry Cherrin, it is a welcome distraction. “Whatever the outcome, music will help me process it. Maybe to offer comfort, but hopefully to party. ”
The new album, with works by Michael Torke, Paul Creston, Marc Mellits, John Cage and Christian Lauba, provides a possible answer to the question: what is American music really? While the music of these composers varies enormously, similarities are discovered in the compositions: the influence of jazz, new approaches to musical form, a postmodern approach to combining form and genre and especially the focus on rhythm as a primary musical aspect in the compositions.
Thanks to their adventurous, cross-border approach to music, the Amstel Quartet has a large crowd of admirers worldwide. The Dutch press therefore calls the four saxophonists “The most colorful saxophone quartet in the world”.
This show is broadcasted live on BIMHUIS TV