John Engels (1935) was sixteen when he enjoyed Jazz At The Philharmonic in the Scheveningen Kurhaus with his father. The way drummer Max Roach solved a problem with his drum kit was like an epiphany to him. ‘He didn’t miss a count, the beat went on.’ Afterwards Engels wanted nothing more than to be a drummer. He has since become one of the grandmasters on the Dutch jazz scene who can boast an impressive career, such as accompanying jazz legends like Chet Baker, Ben Webster, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz. His biography was published recently and he is celebrating his 80th birthday this year with his Vogel Vrij Tour. The drummer already performed at North Sea Jazz in 1976, in no fewer than than three concerts! This time he will truly celebrate with his show, titled Old Meets Young. One of his guest stars will be the captivating saxophonist Lew Tabackin (1940), a good friend of Engels, with whom he has played many times before.
