North Sea
Jazz presents
Lineup 2015

There are some special projects on this year’s program, such as the European premiere of Brian Blade’s “Joni’s Jazz”, a tribute to singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell with guest artists Oleta Adams, Lizz Wright, Michael Kiwanuka, and Terence Blanchard. To give you an impression of forty years of North Sea Jazz history, the festival is presenting several iconic artists from each decade starting from 1976, including Stanley Clarke, Roy Hargrove, Bill Frisell, bassist Avishai Cohen and José James. To celebrate the 40th edition, five artists have been invited who also performed at the very first North Sea  Jazz festival, “Founding Fathers of ’76”.

Artist in Residence
This year’s Artist In Residence is the Netherlands’ most adventurous drummer in the: Han Bennink. On Friday, Bennink is appearing with the Oscar Jan, Peter and Han trio (with pianist Oscar Jan Hoogland and trumpeter Peter Evans). On Saturday, he performs with his own Han Bennink Trio consisting of clarinetist Joachim Badenhorst and pianist Simon Toldam. On Sunday, Bennink is performing in concert with the legendary ICP Orchestra, featuring guest artists such as guitarist Marc Ribot. Han Bennink is also a graphic artist and his work is on show at the festival in the Let Freedom Ring exhibition.

Composition Assignment
Each year, the North Sea Jazz Festival commissions a promising Dutch jazz composer to write a free composition. In 2015, the honour goes to guitarist Reinier Baas. “Reinier Baas makes clear musical choices and is able to hold attention continuously. He skillfully surprises with small gestures that make the listener wish to hear each of his pieces again.” , the jury says. The Composition Assignment written by Reinier Baas will  premiere on Sunday July 12 in Madeira.