AN EVENING WITH FRANKY DOUGLAS

This month Franky Douglas celebrates his 65th birthday and his 56th year on stage. The guitarist and composer looks forward with his new Frank Douglas Group and closes a period with the last ever performance of his band Sunchild. Between sets he plays duets with renowned guests.

The Curacao born guitarist Franky Douglas grew up with classical music and since the 1950s he has been following a free-thinking course, moving between Caribbean music, soul, funk and jazz. His compositions are loved by musicians and are full of ‘themes which are so elegant, cheerful and witty that the whole sounds as natural as breathing’ (de Volkskrant).

In his bands Douglas gives room to adventurous soloists from the Amsterdam improv scene, including Ernst Reijseger, Michael Moore and Wolter Wierbos. He has also been very important for Surinamese and Antillean musicians in The Netherlands. He has played in the Surinam Music Ensemble as well as in the quartet of avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor.

‘Frank Douglas plays rhythm like no one else. His compositions seem simple but they’re not. Franky Douglas can do things on the guitar no one can do, and there is almost no one who knows that’ (de Volkskrant).

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