Saxophonist Toon Roos has earned international praise for his lyrical playing and his strong personality as a band leader and composer. He has collaborated with famous musicians such as Joe Zawinul, Toots Thielemans and Steely Dan, and has performed at the BIMHUIS with legendary Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine. Melody and funk are important ingredients in his compositions.
Toon Roos studied in New York with saxophonists George Coleman, Bob Berg and Bill Evans. In 1984 he won the Wessel Ilcken Prize, an award for young promising jazz soloists. In 2001 he received the Bird Award of the North Sea Jazz Festival. As a guest soloist he played with international greats such as Toots Thielemans, John Scofield and Ravi Coltrane.
‘One of the few saxophone players in the world with a sound of their own’ (Peter Erskine)
‘A world-class soloist’ (All About Jazz)
Celebrating Life is a varied program of own compositions, standards and classics in which Toon Roos shows his love for jazz, fusion and pop music. The evening starts with Roos’ acoustic quartet with Hein van de Geyn on double bass all the way from South Africa, especially for this occasion. Toon continues after the break with his electric fusion formation, the repertoire consists of own compositions and funky classics, including a tribute to Al Jarreau and Steely Dan’s Walter Becker.
TOON ROOS KWARTET
Toon Roos saxophones, Karel Boehlee piano, Hein van de Geyn bass, Joost van Schaik drums
TOON ROOS GROUP
Toon Roos saxophones, Karel Boehlee keyboards, Peter Tiehuis guitar, Boudewijn Lucas el. bass, Martin Gort percussion, Danny Sahupala drums, Simone Pormes, Debbie Helaha, Diana van Putten backing vocals. Special guest: Lodewijk van Gorp vocals