Dutch Jazz - Ruud Brink, Trio Pim Jacobs, Rita Reyes

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  • Lateralthinking1
    • Jan 2025

    Dutch Jazz - Ruud Brink, Trio Pim Jacobs, Rita Reyes

    Yesterday, I mentioned on another thread how in Haarlem, NL, I had walked into a jazz record shop in the early nineties run by an elderly couple. A cd was playing and I asked who it was playing and they said to me it was Ruud Brink and Trio Pim Jacobs. They explained that Brink had just died, Jacobs had been visiting him regularly in hospital, and mentioned something of their histories - well, quite a lot - including collaborations with Rita Reyes. Here's Brink:

    Ruud Brink -- tenorsax, Harry Sombroek -- guitar, Han Brink -- drums, Frans Suykerbuyk -- bass,video: Ed Lautenslager, audio: István B. SzakácsMijn websit...


    Loved it, bought it, play it often. The most important thing about music is liking it. But being only very partially informed about jazz, I have always wanted more context. There are jazz festivals in the Netherlands, these artists were clearly highly regarded, Brink's style of playing particularly reaches me in a special way, but instinctively I sense that the knowledgeable, and indeed the stylists, would have problems with it - a bit too "cocktail lite" perhaps. For example, in the thread following the link:

    "This is very close to Zoot Sims in sound and conception of playing melody. Unfortunately lacking Zoot´s great choices of notes and impeccable timing. However it would probably be unnoticed by untrained ear of casual listener. Overall quite pleasant but not great.".

    So what am I asking here? How do FoR3 members feel about these artists and their contributions, how would they contextualise them, and I guess any thoughts on how the Netherlands has contributed to jazz generally? Something like this. I would genuinely find it helpful for knowing what exactly it is that I am listening to and will continue to like whatever is said.
  • aka Calum Da Jazbo
    Late member
    • Nov 2010
    • 9173

    #2
    it is very tastefully played lateral; but i do not hear an overarching sense of melodic development just a skilful running through the chords ...

    some other versions for comparison

    Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.


    Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.


    Scott Hamilton skylarkスコットハミルトンスカイラーク
    According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe.

    Comment

    • Lateralthinking1

      #3
      Thanks Calum - I will listen to them.

      Comment

      • Lateralthinking1

        #4
        ......OK, I'm going to have a go at descriptions - oh no, not those again - and probably make a muggins of myself. Yes, Lateral's got the confidence to do it.

        I'd say that the Blakey version is the one for jazz afficianados. It isn't afraid to wander while somehow keeping it understandably structured. Loose but also tight. It seems to occupy a space rather bigger than a club while remaining intimate. I'm thinking cool in style but hints of smoke from northern chimneys. Foggy like Lowry but pierced with golden light.

        I'd see the Hamilton as the closest of the selections to Brink but it ventures further. It also takes it's time, perhaps a little too "unrushed" in places. The Konitz is cleaner and sharper, more contemplative, bluer tinged, and the coolest of the three in my book.

        Perhaps surprisingly, I like the Konitz one best. :cool2:

        How did I do???
        Last edited by Guest; 20-12-10, 23:07.

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        • charles t
          Full Member
          • Nov 2010
          • 592

          #5
          L.T. - Although apparently - (there is no index) - Ruud Brink is not cited in this Dutch Jazz retrospective; nevertheless it is a historically thorough survey of the scene; including interviews with American jazzr's such as Steve Lacy and Paul Motian among others.

          Comment

          • Lateralthinking1

            #6
            Charles T - That is an interesting book. Are Pim Jacobs and/or Rita Reyes mentioned?

            Comment

            • aka Calum Da Jazbo
              Late member
              • Nov 2010
              • 9173

              #7
              i like what you wrote there lateralT .... there is an issue of technical fluency which Hamilton and Konitz show, the Blakey is just a song in their mould [at that time] but none of them for me go for it in the manner of a flamenco artist risking all {duende?} .... but then maybe it is that kind of song ...shame i couldnt find a version by Rollins .... or Sam Rivers ...

              Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.


              ... a very different song/structure but going for it in my book .....


              or Sam here in a ballad and same format as Brink

              Rivers is one of the great jazz musicians from the early start long ago with bros as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Tony Williams and Wayne Shorter. Absolute confi...
              Last edited by aka Calum Da Jazbo; 20-12-10, 21:33.
              According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe.

              Comment

              • Lateralthinking1

                #8
                Thanks Calum. I found that "exercise" really interesting and rewarding and would welcome similar as and when. Your latest post brings us on to the broader points about jazz knowledge.

                I hold my hands up to owning Miles's Kind of Blue and Brubeck's Time Out which are impossible to dislike. I've dipped into John Coltrane (and Alice), I know Monk's Mysterioso, and I used to think I could recognise Coleman Hawkins though now I'm not so sure. I watched the BBC4 series about British jazz, listened to some of Ken Clarke's Radio 4 series and generally take notice of what Cleo Laine has to say.

                Years ago I was introduced to Jelly Roll Morton's paper and comb, before that I bought the "Heavy Weather" album, and at some point I got a Chuck Mangione freebie from someone in the business. I know that I also really like that "Bible Black" piece from "Under Milk Wood" in the sixties, there's Bill Frizzell and Bill Sharpe in places, there's always been Nina Simone and Billie Holiday, and recently it has been a lot of Sun Ra plus the Portico Quartet etc etc.

                Do you see what I mean though? It is all bits and pieces and a bit hard to get a deep understanding or overview other than sitting down with an encyclopedia and reading the history in a rather dry way. I feel that I know the development of other genres better. Any learning and reading there built on what was essentially organic. Perhaps I am starting in the same places but much, much, later with jazz.

                Certainly the older I get, the more I hear in it and I'm listening more to the jazz programmes on Radio 3. I know that Ian R has made similar points recently. Lat.
                Last edited by Guest; 20-12-10, 23:39.

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                • aka Calum Da Jazbo
                  Late member
                  • Nov 2010
                  • 9173

                  #9
                  more jazz from Holland but with American guests

                  Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.


                  back in the 70s and 80s i spent time in Groningen, an active jazz scene still going strong there
                  According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe.

                  Comment

                  • Alyn_Shipton
                    Full Member
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 777

                    #10
                    Looks like there might be a case for a Dutch JL, rather like the Aussie ones just discussed or occasionally barbied on this bored. Would that go down well with boardees here?

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                    • aka Calum Da Jazbo
                      Late member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 9173

                      #11
                      it would be interesting Alyn ..... there are some really interesting avant garde [ie 60s and 70s] Dutch based jazz albums eg Dolphy's Last date and many notable Dutch artists ..
                      According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe.

                      Comment

                      • charles t
                        Full Member
                        • Nov 2010
                        • 592

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Lateralthinking1 View Post
                        Charles T - That is an interesting book. Are Pim Jacobs and/or Rita Reyes mentioned?
                        L.T. There is an index! Gotta learn not to post at 7a.m.

                        Pim Jacobs/Rita Reyes are listed on 4-5 pages.

                        Here's back cover to get you to bite:

                        Comment

                        • Lateralthinking1

                          #13
                          CharlesT, ah now that is interesting and it would be an unusual way into the jazz world, wouldn't it? Alyn, I would welcome your suggestion. And, Calum, that's funny, and it may well not be coincidence - my Brink and Jacobs cd is called "Just Friends". Lat.

                          Comment

                          • Ian Thumwood
                            Full Member
                            • Dec 2010
                            • 4272

                            #14
                            One album i regretted not getting at the time was called "Dutch masters" or something to that effect and it featured a Steve Lacy led group whcih included George Lewis on trombone as well as Misha Mengelberg, Ernst Riejinger and Han Bennink, the last three stalwarts of the Dutch avant garde scene. They did a gig on Radio 3 back in the 1980's where they played Monk numbers and, for my money, this was the best Thelonious repetorary band I have heard.

                            I have a few records by Willem Breuker that I enjoy. The range of material is fascinating even though the "comedy" elements will definately split opinion. Some of the humour is funny the first time but wears a bit thin after a while. Never-the-less, when on form, I think this was a storming outfit. Great entertainment live where they were more in their element.

                            Incidently, I think that Dutch jazz is heaviily subsidised by their Govt and can recall one American musician (can't remember who but it m,ight have been Branford) stating that
                            there were many pretty ordinary musicians in Holland who could make a living from jazz who would never make the grade in the US. If you wanted to look at the jazz scene in neighbouring Belgium, I would seriously recommend that record which is terrific. I have heard this music played live and the disc is absolutely brilliant with great writing and the wonderful sounding guitar of the principle soloist:




                            It is incredible that someone like Bert Joris is unknown in the UK and you could only imagine the reaction of thr British jazz press if something this good was produced over here. The music is essentially modern big band jazz albeit not too way out. The music is very infectious and has plenty of substance as well.

                            Comment

                            • Lateralthinking1

                              #15
                              Yes, I would imagine that one question might be about the extent to which it imitates the Americans. Another that crosses my mind is if there are a number of components (horrible word!) to what might be described as a Dutch jazz sound. The subsidy point is interesting - does this make a difference musically? And then Belgium......I am not very knowledgeable about these countries having spent much more time in Southern Europe but I quite like the idea now of a music in Benelux concept as it seems so "un-obvious". And I do think that I will be buying the New Dutch Swing book.

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