Benjamin Herman is widely known as a saxophonist, leader of New Cool Collective and Dutch jazz icon, always fresh-spirited and sharply dressed. His 50th birthday party at the BIMHUIS is all about his new album Project S.

The album Project S was made for the eponymous documentary about the Citroën SM, the mythic vehicle which used to belong to presidents and celebrities, including Johan Cruijff. A Citroën with a Maserati motor, which is a way to describe the album’s sound. ‘Serge Gainsbourg meets Fausto Papetti’, according to Benjamin Herman.

‘Herman is an alto saxophonist with a penchant for hyperkinetic jazz, not to mention a wicked sense of humor’ (Downbeat).

Next to the soundtrack Project S this year we will witness two other ‘birthday releases’ by Benjamin Herman: punk jazz album Bughouse with guitarist Reinier Baas, bassist Peter Peskens and drummer Olav van den Berg, and a jazz record featuring young talents that Benjamin got to know during the last 14 years while hosting his biweekly jam sessions at the Amsterdam artist’s club De Kring.

Benjamin Herman saxophones, Giuseppe Doronzo bariton sax, Efe Erdem trombone, Alexander van Popta piano/keys, Rory Ronde guitar, Manuel Hugas bass, Joost Kroon drums, [special guest] Jonathan Herman guitar, Pauline Koning violin, Yannick Hiwat violin, Mara Tieles viola, Susanne Rosmolen violoncello