Sentimental, melodic, dramatic piano improvisations.

7 MP3 Songs
EASY LISTENING: Mood Music, CLASSICAL: New Age



Details:
October 2nd, 1972.

I started to play piano when I was about 7 years old. Why? I guess because it was standing just there, in the middle of the room. The piano (especially the August Förster grand piano I proudly own) and music in general, has since become a large part of my life.

I have never played piano in a formation, but I have goals set to do so, starting somewhere in 2005. I'll be joining some RealBook sessions in Kraaij & Balder, a jazz club in Eindhoven. I recorded my first solo album (Moon and Stars and Moon and Stars and all that Jazz) in 1997. In 2001 I recorded a three-track mini album called 2001-2001. This was more of an experiment and has never been much more than a more or less personal recording. A year later, I recorded my second long play album (For Piano). Inspiration for this album, came from a trip to Châteaudun, late 2001. The album is dedicated to the instrument itself.

I never felt that I have been directly influenced by other pianists in the past. I now know that music goes deeper than just the notes one listens to. Piano played by Yosuke Yamashita, Bill Evans, Erroll Garner, Chick Corea, Jean Louis Steuerman and so many more great pianists, have shown me that.

I have realised over the years, that other solo pianists (that play more or less what I think I am playing) don't really impress me. I find that rather strange. That might say more about me than about them, though. So, I stick to what I am playing (trying to touch an emotional string here and there) and listen to whatever I am not playing.

Besides jazz, I have great interest in the music of Frank Zappa, as well as his visions on the subject (and on many others, as a matter of fact). The way he managed to mould air molcules into musical sculptures, will be a forever mystery for me. Nonetheless, I find his music a great as it is divers, intellectual and original. And I guess that's pretty much it. For now.


Jass