Drummer, composer and modern Dutch jazz pioneer Pierre Courbois celebrates his 75th birthday this year. His new ensemble will perform at the Bimhuis.

Internationally renowned Dutch drummer Pierre Courbois has always been occupied with new developments in jazz. He took lessons with Kenny Clarke in Paris and developed himself as an absolute master in playing with brushes. His band Association PC stood at the foundation of free jazz and fusion; his drum breaks on vinyl are still being used regularly by DJs. He has experimented with all kinds of technical innovations such as electronic drums. For years he was part of Mal Waldron’s Trio and he has won among others the Bird Award and the Boy Edgar Prize. As a jazz drummer and composer, an extremely rare combination, he excels in music with unusual time signatures.

In 2015 Pierre Courbois celebrates his 75th birthday with his new acoustic ensemble PC Qwintett, featuring well-known names from Dutch jazz. His compositions for this band are again full of uneven measures and can be placed in the tradition of Charles Mingus’ thematic, melodic ensemble jazz, leaving plenty of room for experiment and improvisation.

‘Pierre Courbois is one of the main architects of modern Dutch jazz and a prominent representative of this abroad’ (jury Boy Edgar Prize).

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).

Pierre Courbois drums/compositie, Jan Menu bariton-/sopraansax, Toon de Gouw trompet, Ilja Reijngoud trombone, Niko Langenhuijssen piano, Egon Kracht bas