Saturday, March 7, 8:00 PM – Behind the Dikes.
Victor Kaihatu (1939-2014), of Moluccan descent, was musically active in many, even widely divergent, genres. From Indo-rock and Krontjong to avant-garde jazz—Willem Breuker, Misha Mengelberg—with a broad range of bebop in between. Vocalist Martine Bijl and the pop group George Baker Selection also utilized Kaihatu’s talents. This hour explores some of this broad spectrum.
Little Green Bag
This song by the George Baker Selection (1969) skyrocketed to international charts. Several covers followed, including ones by singer Tom Jones and the group The Ventures. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino used the piece in his film Reservoir Dogs. Kaihatu’s punchy bass line is the opening.
Tari-Serimpi
Performed by the Krontjong Ensemble Victor Kaihatu.
Toots Thielemans: Live
On April 4, 1974, harmonica player/guitarist Toots Thielemans performed at the Boerenhofstede in Laren. Alongside him: Rob Franken (keyboards), Joop Scholten (guitar), drummer Evert Overweg, and Kaihatu. The recording of the concert reveals a free and virtuoso Thielemans, giving a warm, swinging performance to an enthusiastic audience.
The theme of “There Is No Greater Love” reveals Toots’ enthusiasm—he takes off in the opening chorus, and in no time the quintet is up and running.
The ballad “The Summer of ’42” creates a shift in mood. Kaihatu is sublime in his free rhythms, as well as his interpretation of Toots’s long, sustained notes.
Beboppin’ (1983)
Also a quintet lineup: Ferdinand Povel, tenor sax; Wim Overgaauw, guitar; Frans Elsen, piano; Ruud Pronk, drums; Kaihatu.
Deception is a “cheerful” opening. The song’s B section features characteristic whole-tone piano runs. Povel begins his solo with a Monk quote.
I’m Old Fashioned
Nobody Else But Me
Conglomeration
The album Conglomeration was released in 1978. A trio, with Nedley Elstak on piano and drummer Martin van Duynhoven. “Chamber jazz.” The three musicians are fully engaged with each other. The piano takes the lead—the other two instruments follow, reacting. “Groupiness” at its finest.
Two pieces: Vico (with room for a long bass solo), and Conglomeration.
And, oh yes… you’ll also hear three pieces by V.S.O.P.: Very Superior Old Pals.
More information about Kaihatu in The Guide.
Behind the Dikes – Hajé Nordbeck As bassist in the historic Mengelberg-Noordijk Quartet in the late 1960s, Kaihatu would sometimes lay his bass flat on the floor and treat it in an “unconventional” way. Three guesses as to who put him up to it…
Feedback sturen
