For many Dutch artists, performing at North Sea Jazz is a high point in their career. This also goes for Ruben Hein, even though, as an experienced musician, he knows how it feels to be on such an eminent stage. After being received with great enthusiasm twice before, in 2011 and 2013, he will return to Ahoy with a brand-new album: Groundwork Rising. The songs on this album were written in a remote cabin in the woods, with only an old piano to fool around on. In those simple surroundings, Hein, also known to the Dutch audiences as a contestant on the television show Wie Is De Mol, delved into his deepest emotions. The impressive result was not released on Blue Note, which used to be his label, but rather is a self-release, which may account in part for its truly authentic sound. Rich arrangements, very personal lyrics and that wonderful, gravelly voice: Ruben Hein can do nothing else but shine at North Sea Jazz.
