Paul van Kemenade ‘Last Call Concerts’

After fifty years, Paul van Kemenade will end his professional career in music. The alto saxophonist became renowned for his expressive, bluesy sound. For years he has united musicians from all over the world at his festival Stranger Than Paranoia. He played in many different bands, for which he wrote around 250 compositions across the board. His elaborate farewell will be spread out over two nights on our stage.

On Thursday night, the saxophonist will open the concert together with pianist Stevko Busch, with whom he has formed a duo for years. They will be followed by the duo of Polish pianist Krzysztof Kobylínski and the celebrated French trumpeter Erik Truffaz, who has released many albums on the legendary jazz label Blue Note. The first night will close with Paul van Kemenade’s classic quintet, which he has led since 1989.

‘Alto saxophonist Paul van Kemenade would not be out of place in one of the volcanic groups of Charles Mingus, considering his passion, the highly personal ‘cry’ in his playing, the relentless swing and the blues feel’ (de Volkskrant).

‘His alto darts and dives luxuriously, a rainbow feathered bird of paradise riding to the stratosphere’ (Downbeat, *****-review of Van Kemenade’s album Close Enough).

Paul van Kemenade alto saxophone, Stevko Busch piano

Erik Truffaz trumpet, Krzysztof Kobylinski piano

Van Kemenade alto saxophone, Louk Boudesteijn trombone, Jeroen van Vliet piano, Eric van der Westen double bass, Pieter Bast drums