The Bimhuis gives carte blanche to pianist/composer Harmen Fraanje, who presents a unique concert evening. ‘Fraanje combines melody, minimalism and abstraction in a heady flux’ (The Arts Desk).

At the request of the Bimhuis Harmen Fraanje will curate a concert evening entitled ‘And out of the Wilderness the Songbird Sang’. The pianist/composer has invited singular musicians from the European jazz an improvised music scene. Swedish saxophone player Fredrik Ljungkvist is renowned as a member of the formation Atomic. French double bassist Brice Soniano and drummer Toma Gouband have worked with Fraanje for years as a trio. Guitarist Jasper Stadhouders en drummer Onno Govaert are well-known musicians in Fraanje’s hometown Amsterdam.

Harmen Fraanje’s compositions are rooted in jazz, classical and improvised music. He’s strongly influenced by traditional music from for example Zimbabwe, Central Africa and Madagascar. Fraanje’s composition Sonatala was included in the leading European Real Book. As a pianist he’s active in a wide variety of ensembles. His trio with cello player Ernst Reijseger and singer Mola Sylla has received rave reviews, among others for their concerts at the Bimhuis and their soundtracks for the films of Werner Herzog.

‘Pianist Harmen Fraanje holds everything together, combines melody, minimalism, abstraction and improvisation in a heady flux’ (The Arts Desk).

CARTE BLANCHE SERIES

For years, several times each season, the Bimhuis has been offering
carte blanche to remarkable talents from the Dutch and international music
worlds. Over the years this opportunity to curate a concert evening has led to the most surprising one-off collaborations as well as many new ensembles.

Next up in the Carte Blanche series is British pianist Alexander Hawkins, who will present
his unique program on February 27. On April 1, the series will feature
guitarist Ava Mendoza.

The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 till 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).

AND OUT OF THE WILDERNESS THE SONGBIRD SANG
AFTERWARDS DJ THIJS ENTERPRISE AT THE CAFE
Fredrik Ljungkvist sax/klarinet, Harmen Fraanje piano, Jasper Stadhouders gitaar/bas, Brice Soniano bas, Toma Gouband, Onno Govaert drums/percussie