In October 2023, twelve years have passed since Piet Noordijk died. From Rotterdam pubs to large halls with the Metropole Orchestra, he captivated with his effervescent saxophone playing, making him one of the tastemakers of Dutch jazz. Three outstanding alto saxophonists – Benjamin Herman, Luigi Grasso and Géraldine Laurent – pay tribute to their famous colleague, accompanied by pianist Rein de Graaff, double bassist Marius Beets and drummer Eric Ineke during this third edition of the European Alto Festival.

With the festival, Benjamin Herman wants to bring great alto saxophonists from other European countries to Dutch audiences. ‘There are so many great European musicians who are invisible to jazz lovers in nearby countries. I really enjoy being able to bring these crazy saxophonists the The Netherlands. They play so amazing, you don’t know what you’re hearing.’ Says Benjamin Herman.

Italy’s Luigi Grasso is a phenomenon on the alto saxophone. He released his first album at age 13 and is one of the soloists of the NDR big band in Hamburg. His biggest influence is Charlie Parker; there are few saxophonists who actually come as close to Parker’s playing style as Grasso. Géraldine Laurent is a modern alto virtuoso who has been received numerous awards in her home country France and has recorded or shared the stage with just about every French jazz star. Her biggest influences are John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins and Eric Dolphy.

Benjamin Herman, Géraldine Laurent, Luigi Grasso alto saxophone, Rein de Graaff piano, Marius Beets double bass, Eric Ineke drums