Saturday, December 6th, 2025, 8:00 PM – Behind the Dikes. For altoist Piet Noordijk, Charlie Parker was the undisputed number one. But Parker had to share that place of honor with… Frank Sinatra! Volkskrant journalist Frank van Herk certainly didn’t anticipate that comparison in his 1997 interview with Noordijk. Noordijk: “What is number one in jazz music? Timing, exactly. There are very few jazz musicians with Frank Sinatra’s timing.” After studying clarinet at the Rotterdam Conservatory in the 1950s, which he completed with honors, Noordijk played in nightclubs and the Hilversum broadcasting studios, among other places. He is lead altoist with orchestras such as the Skymasters, the Metropole Orchestra, and the Boy’s Big Band. In the mid-1960s, he fronted the renowned Misha Mengelberg/Piet Noordijk Quartet, which became one of the most talked-about combos in Dutch jazz history. He played with some of the greatest Americans: Ben Webster, Nina Simone, Dexter Gordon, and Wynton Marsalis. The string of collaborations is endless, the list of albums and CD recordings infinite. A comprehensive article about the Mengelberg/Noordijk Quartet, written by Ben Zwanink (also the author of this News Report), appeared in Jazz Bulletin magazine. From it, the following quote about Noordijk: “Piet is an over-energetic, high-voltage bop alto player with an unerring intuition for constructing long solos. His musical flow of ideas can be traced back to a familiar bebop source, but this never leads to a string of standardized formulas. Speaking a dynamic musical language, he always tells his own story, never the same thing twice.” Playlist: Album: A Tribute To Rogier I Remember Rogier Why Do I Love You Piet Salto Album: New Quintet What Is This Thing Called Love Goodbye Frankie And Johnny Album: Pete’s Groove Pete’s Groove Pete’s Hit In 2007, alto saxophonist Piet Noordijk celebrated both his seventy-fifth and sixtieth birthdays at the BIMhuis in Amsterdam. Noordijk celebrated this joyous occasion with his bands Pete’s Groove, the Misha Mengelberg/Piet Noordijk Quartet, and the Piet Noordijk Boptet. Top Dutch jazz musicians, including Jack van Poll, Martijn van Iterson, Misha Mengelberg, Ruud Jacobs, Han Bennink, and Rik Mol, joined him on stage. (AD) Album: Jubilee concert: Live at the Bimhuis Amsterdam Ballad Medley (Mona Lisa – You Don’t Know What Love Is – But Beautiful – Embraceable You) ———————————————— For more information, see De Gids. This is the second—and final—programme about Piet Noordijk. Klik for the first programme. Behind the Dikes – Hajé Nordbeck

Pocket Concerts (14) –– Kika Sprangers & Koen Schalkwijk Dutch saxophonist Kika Sprangers (born 1994) and pianist Koen Schalkwijk (born 1988) are a musical duo, acclaimed for their lyrical interplay and exciting improvisations. Kika is known for her velvety-smooth tone and thrilling compositions. She recently received the Willem Breuker Prize and was commissioned by North Sea Jazz to write a large-scale piece. Her latest album with her Large Ensemble, (In)finity, explores themes of transience and vulnerability. Koen, who studied jazz piano in Amsterdam and Philadelphia, won the Keep An Eye Records Prize early in his career, which led to his debut album, Two Cities. As a composer and teacher, he leads projects such as the Schalkwijk/Govaert duo and plays piano and Wurlitzer in Kika’s quintet. Together they create a rich, emotional soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. Pocket Concerts is made possible by World of Jazz, inJazz, the Dutch Jazz Archive, Buma Cultuur, and Podiumkunst.net. SET LIST Descending (K. Schalkwijk) Esfahan (K. Schalkwijk) Estuary (K. Sprangers) Digging the Archives: De Sprong,O Romance of the Hares (M. Mengelberg)

Pocket Concerts (13) –– Ronald Snijders Ronald Snijders is a leading Dutch flutist and composer, known for his groundbreaking work in jazz, classical music and world music. Throughout his career he won numerous awards, including the prestigious Edison Jazz/World Award and the Boy Edgar Award, in recognition of his work and influence. Snijders released several albums, in collaboration with Michiel Borstlap, among others. He is an inspiring figure in contemporary music for his innovative approach to hybrid styles and improvisation. Elizabeth Fadel, a Dutch pianist and composer, is known for her lyrical playing and versatile repertoire. She has won awards such as the Dutch Classical Talent Award, and her recent releases include critically acclaimed albums that combine classical, jazz and folk traditions. Their collaboration results in performances rich in texture and emotion. They performed together at various festivals and concert series, where they explored new musical landscapes. Their synergy reflects a shared commitment to innovation, providing an unprecedented musical experience.