New music on the cutting edge between jazz and contemporary classical by the New European Ensemble featuring the influential American saxophonist/composer David Binney as a special guest.

Alto saxophonist David Binney presents new compositions for ensemble, played by himself with the New European Ensemble. The music is rooted in bebop, with lots of room for improvisation within a tightly organized framework, in short, music that transcends the boundaries of modern jazz and contemporary classical. Additionally, the program features a new composition for viola and ensemble by Oene van Geel.

David Binney is praised not only for his characteristic sound and technical proficiency on alto saxophone; he’s also a key figure in the New York club circuit where he brings together remarkable musicians of the current generation. On his label Mythology he regularly releases albums where he proves himself as a forward-thinking composer, drawing comparisons with distinguished fellow alto players Steve Coleman, Greg Osby and Wayne Shorter.

The Hague-based New European Ensemble was founded in 2008 by a group of young musicians from across Europe. Their aim is to present contemporary music in an innovative way. New European Ensemble has worked intensively with prominent composers such as Kaija Saariaho and Magnus Lindberg.

‘Binney, an alto saxophonist, hears contemporary dance grooves, free-improv and traditional swing but stresses none of them. He has a New Yorker’s bite but an old-style west coast jazzer’s long, twisting lines and untheatrical dynamics. And his albums display an appetite for formal experiments and a confidence in the audience’s openness more usually associated with European than American jazz today’ (The Guardian).

‘One of the most gripping and distinctive alto players and composers of his generation’ (JazzTimes).

Click here for an article on David Binney by Brad Farberman (July 2014, Jazztimes).

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).

AFTERWARDS DJ MICHAEL VATCHER AT THE CAFE

David Binney sax, Felicia van den End fluit, Christopher Bouwman hobo, James Meldrum klarinet, Ryanne Hofman basklarinet, Ryan Linham trompet, Lars Karlin trombone, Rada Ovcharova viool, Mikhel Kerem viool, Emlyn Stam altviool, Willem Stam cello, Hanna Shybayeva piano, Wim Vos drums