The popular pianist Peter Beets, leader of his own trio and member of The Beets Brothers has won various prizes, including the Pall Mall Swing Award and the Prinses Christina Concours. He has also released various records, solo as well as with his brothers. In 1999 the pianist made a live CD with trombonist Curtis Fuller, in 2000 he came out with Powerhouse, followed by last year's All or Nothing at All. Beets might have been a somewhat detached soloist and an instrumental sideman in the trio with his brothers or as the Jazz Orchestra of The Concertgebouw's pianist, but on his CD New York Trio, he bursts loose and plays himself into the spotlight. The album was recorded in New York with the American rhythm tandem bass player Rodney Whitaker and drummer Willie Jones III. With this asset of a drummer who also plays a role in the 'Directions in Music'-program with Hancock and Hargrove, and with bass player Frans van Geest, Beets will perform at the festival.
