YOUNG VIPS TOUR

Alto saxophonist Genzo Okabe and the Xavi Torres Trio are this year’s Young VIPs, the most promising talents according to programmers of Dutch jazz and improvised music venues.

Each year two new Young VIPs are selected by programmers of the 25 venues affiliated with VIP, the organization for jazz and improvised music venues in The Netherlands. The selected talents must be established in The Netherlands and must play original compositions. Young VIPs enables them to tour throughout the land.

Okabe Family is the band of Japanese-born alto saxophonist Genzo Okabe, who moved from Tokyo to Perugia and subsequently to The Hague to study classical and jazz saxophone. His music sounds contemporary and is at the same time based on a thorough research into early New Orleans jazz. ‘Okabe’s compositions are excellent in terms of open-mindedness to unusual metre and harmony’ (Jazz Japan).

Last summer the Xavi Torres Trio won the Sena Dutch Jazz Competition with which they were automatically selected for the Young VIPs Tour. Led by the Spanish-born, classically trained pianist Xavi Torres Vicente, the trio garnered critical acclaimed for their debut album Skyline. ‘Torres is a very talented pianist, whose well-rehearsed trio played fresh and bright. Original compositions and spacious improvisations were performed with grace’ (Draai om je oren).

Read the blog by Vera Vingerhoeds here.

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).