R I K V A N D E N B E R G H
b a r i t o n e s a x o p h o n e
BARITONE BLOW UP!
featuring
Gary Smulyan
Together with a hard swinging rhythmsection (Ole Kock Hansen - piano, Jesper Bodilsen - bass, Andreas Fryland - drums) they will bring you a most unique sound in ensemble playing, bari-battles and ballads.
The earth will shake on a memorable evening of great jazz!
Niels Oldin (DK)
Niels Oldin is a bop-oriented baritone saxophonist and one of the most sought after baritone players in Denmark. With his direct swing and original musicality his music has a strong energy and appeal. In 2001 Niels graduated from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, where he and fellow musician Rik van den Bergh met each other for the first time. At this moment Niels is active with his Pepper Adams - tribute quintet 'Pepperspray'. You can hear him in various Danish big bands as well and of course in and around Copenhagen with its lively jazz scene.
Gary Smulyan (USA)
winner of the 2015 Down Beat Critic's Poll for baritone saxophone
Gary Smulyan is one of the strongest post-bop baritone voices and needs hardly needs any further introduction. He is consistently ranked as the Number 1 baritone saxophone player in the annual Down Beat Readers and Critics Polls and was a member of Woody Herman’s band before he joined The Mel Lewis Big Band (nowadays the Vanguard Jazz Orch.). In 1998 Gary Smulyan organized the Three Baritone Band with Ronnie Cuber and Nick Brignola. At this moment he is performing and recording as a leader and asked as a soloist all over the world. In addition Gary Smulyan is a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orch., the Joe Lovano Nonet, the Dave Holland Octet and Big Band, and the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band.
www.garysmulyan.com
Rik van den Bergh (NL)
Rik van den Bergh is one of the few Dutch baritone saxophonists who dedicated himself completely to the baritone only. He won the Japanese Kobe Jazz Award in 1999 and made several recordings as a leader. He toured with his 4tet plus Teddy Edwards and toured as a soloist in Japan twice. At this moment Rik performs in a quintet with trombone player Bart van Lier. He is teaching at the Rotterdam Conservatory as well. His performance with Ronnie Cuber in 2013 inspired him to initiate this project with Gary Smulyan and Niels Oldin.