‘This is Our Music’, the theme of Doek Festival 2018, signals the return of the Amsterdamse improv collective Doek to its roots: personal projects by its individual core members. The result is a richly varied program including two nights at the BIMHUIS.
The last few editions of the Doek Festival have been some of the most ambitious events in the history of the collective. The edition dedicated to Anthony Braxon and Tri-Centric Foundation, for example, or exchange projects with Chicago and Berlin and a large scale collaboration with Amsterdam venues named The Present Is Present. Doek will go back to its roots with ‘This is Our Music’, named after the Ornette Coleman album, a milestone for free improvisation.
Program Saturday 16 June at BIMHUIS:
Eric Boeren 4tet
Eric Boeren cornet, Michael Moore alto saxophone/clarinet, Wilbert de Joode double bass, Han Bennink drums
The Eric Boeren 4tet is a high-water mark for the Doek collective. Originally inspired by the classic quartets of Ornette Coleman, it has grown over the years to embrace more fully Boeren’s own vision. Brilliantly blending composition with improvisation by four masterful improvisers.
Ab Baars Trio
Ab Baars tenor saxophone, Wilbert de Joode double bass, Martin van Duynhoven drums
Another pinnacle of Dutch improvised music, the Ab Baars Trio has existed for nearly 30 years. Far more than just another sax, bass and drums trio, the group creates some of the most strikingly original music of any ‘jazz’ trio you’ll find. While it is led by Ab Baars, there is an incredible freedom given all three members which brings out the best in everyone. It makes perfect sense that Wilbert de Joode would choose this group for ‘This is Our Music’.
The Coimbra Residency
John Dikeman tenor saxophone, Luis Vicente trumpet, Alexander Hawkins piano, Hugo Antunes double bass, Mark Sanders drums
In 2017, John Dikeman, Luis Vicente and Hugo Antunes were given a residency in Coimbra, Portugal, at the venue Salão Brazil. With 4 days to record, rehearse and present concerts on 2 evenings, they had a chance to put together this ensemble. They decided to invite two exemplary musicians from the British scene. Alexander Hawkins, no stranger to the BIMHUIS, is one of the leading lights of young European improvisers, and Mark Sanders is an immensely diverse and creative drummer. Together, this ensemble represents everything John Dikeman wants in an improvised music ensemble: sensitivity, spontaneity, deep listening, and an absolute willingness to tear it up.
ERIC BOEREN 4TET
Eric Boeren cornet, Michael Moore alto saxophone/clarinet, Wilbert de Joode double bass, Han Bennink drums
AB BAARS TRIO
Ab Baars tenor saxophone, Wilbert de Joode bass, Martin van Duynhoven drums
THE COIMBRA RESIDENCY
John Dikeman tenor saxophone, Luis Vicente trumpet, Alexander Hawkins piano, Hugo Antunes double bass, Mark Sanders drums
