Saturday, December 13th, 2025, 6:00 PM – Vocal Jazz.
Jazz singer and programme maker Ineke Heijliger fills her final broadcast of the year with songs “that were still on the shelf.” She switches between America and the Netherlands, and thus between English, Dutch, and… Yiddish! Interest and quality are—as always in Vocal Jazz—the constant factors within a wide range of styles.
Mirjam van Dam
This vocalist (born 1970, pictured) works in many rooms of the music and theatre building. After studying at the Academy of Cabaret and the conservatories of Hilversum, Amsterdam, and Utrecht, she is active in the genres of jazz, pop, chanson, cabaret, and musical theater. Three pieces from her album Yiddish Jazz (2023).
1. Tey Far Tsvey is the “cozy” opening. The title may not ring a bell, but after a few bars it’s clear which standard it is. The Latin-dance opening shifts to swing after the first chorus, with Yiddish replaced by English.
2. Ovntlid (Evening Song) crosses the jazz boundary. It’s a Yiddish verse song. Melancholy in a minor key. “Quiet evening, dark gold, I sit with a glass of wine…”
3. Who’s Yehoodi is the positive, cheerful conclusion to this section. —————————-
Kenny Barron
Newly released is the album “Songbook” by 82-year-old pianist Kenny Barron. The cover features his name and the title. The fact that several vocalists are featured is not mentioned. It’s Barron’s first recording with singers.
“Illusion” creates a sharp contrast with Van Dam’s previous piece. Its extremely slow tempo and meditative atmosphere are the main features. The singer is Cameroonian-American Ekep Nkwelle. “Minor Blues Redux” is indeed a blues in a minor key. Faster tempo – sung by American Catherine Russell (born 1956). Spacious piano solo in the middle section.
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And also:
Gerlo Hesselink Quartet/Flora de Geus
Two pieces from the album Meant for You 2, released in 2024: Boom (Boom) and Geluk, nog meer Geluk (Happiness, even more Happiness). Singer Flora de Geus sings without lyrics. Lyric-less singing, using the voice as a wind instrument – we already find it in 19th-century classical music. Continued in the 20th century. And in jazz: Nelly Frijda with Boys Big Band (composed), and scat (improvisation). Prepare to be surprised!
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Mirjam van Dam
She opened this program, and she also closes it; after Yiddish and English, in a third language. Does Dutch-language vocal jazz exist? Absolutely. Think of Rita Reys, “Sun in Scheveningen”: “Ice cream, soda, tonic / In a lounge chair I sunbathe / on the beach.” (YouTube)
Mirjam van Dam – 187 Dutch songs! Waltz in the Night, a delightfully rotating three-quarter time. CD Luister Eens, swinging Dutch songs – with composer/pianist Lex Jasper.
Full programme and line-ups in the Programme Guide .
Vocal Jazz – Ineke Heijliger
