Let yourself be immersed in the wondrous world of the marimba during the Amsterdam Marimba Weekend. This edition presents a double bill featuring the absolute world top in marimba, vibraphone and related percussion.

Wood Nymphs is the brainchild of Bulgarian percussionist and marimba virtuoso Tatiana Koleva, in which she brings together two worlds: the rhythms of flamenco and the Balkans. Percussion, marimba and footwork challenge one another and converge in a Tale of Twelve, the rhythmic cycle that defines many flamenco and Balkan styles. A fascinating combination that, alongside Koleva, features flamenco dancer Claudia Karapanou, kaval player Zhivko Vasilev and fellow percussionists Kalina Vladovska and Manuel Vega Abad. Wood Nymphs premiered at the Flamenco Biënnale 2025.

Claudia Karapanou dance/choreography, Zhivko Vasilev kaval/electronics, Tatiana Koleva marimba/percussion/concept, Kalina Vladovska percussion/tupan/marimba, Manuel Vega Abad percussion

The Canadian saxophonist Ben Wendel is not a frequent guest here without reason. From his supergroup High Heart and the renowned Kneebody to his REFLEX concert with solo saxophone, dance, video and a web of lasers: Wendel always opts for unorthodox projects. His latest project, BaRcoDe, fits seamlessly into that line. The saxophonist shares the stage with four top vibraphonists: Joel Ross, Simon Moullier, Patricia Brennan and Juan Diego Villalobos. With a line-up of marimba, vibraphones, glockenspiel, percussion and saxophone, the quintet searches for and finds new connections between chamber music, minimal music and jazz.

Ben Wendel sax/electronics, Joel Ross vibraphone/marimba/percussion, Simon Moullier vibraphone/chromatic balafon/electronics, Patricia Brennan vibraphone/marimba/electronics, Juan Diego Villalobos vibraphone/electric marimba/percussion/electronics

Amsterdam Marimba Weekend

This concert is part of the Amsterdam Marimba Weekend, the biennial festival that celebrates the marimba, vibraphone and related percussion with concerts, workshops and premieres. Initiated by percussionist Tatiana Koleva, it is a platform for both established artists and emerging young talent from all over the world, exploring the boundaries and infinite possibilities of the instrument.

Amsterdam Marimba Weekend