Waan
Bart Wirtz saxophone/effects, Emiel van Rijthoven keyboards, Matteo Mazzù bass, Mark Schilders drums
WAAN is one of a kind: the result of years of exploration, with the aim of bringing together contrasting worlds. A rich stew of electronically propelled grooves and atmospherically crafted melodies come together with and vigorous jazz and raw roots and funk. Together, saxophonist Bart Wirtz and keyboard player Emiel van Rijthoven are WAAN, the core of a variable group of extraordinary players.
Emiel van Rijthoven launched onto the scene with his band Sensuàl, which earned him an Edison (the Dutch Grammy). The combination of pop and Brazilian music made him a highly valued keyboard player. Bart Wirtz has also won an Edison, for his album iDreamer, which he recorded in New York with American jazz musicians such as trumpet hero Nicholas Payton. He moved into a new direction towards hip-hop, rock and funk on the album Beneath the Surface, on which his collaboration with Emiel van Rijthoven took shape.