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Benjamin Herman

Benjamin Herman got his first saxophone at the age of twelve. At thirteen he was already playing on the professional club circuit. Within a few years he was appearing with different groups around the world and initiating projects of his own. His fame spread beyond jazz circles in the 1990s when he formed the groundbreaking ensemble New Cool Collective. Having made a name as soloist while still a teenager, Benjamin Herman has appeared on over a hundred records with all kinds of artists, from Candy Dulfer to Misha Mengelberg. Herman has also built a career in Holland and abroad as a composer. With New Cool Collective as well as with his smaller band’s his gigs are inspired by dance floor jazz, surf and punk music, free jazz and traditional music from all over the world, attracting music fans of all genres as well as straight ahead jazz aficionados. At the same time he has explored in depth the repertoire of composers such a Byard, Monk and Mengelberg. Today Benjamin Herman is one of the most original and productive jazz musicians in the Netherlands exploring influences beyond the confines of the jazz world. After signing to DOX Records in 2005 Benjamin Herman produced a series of cd’s and vinyl’s. He also won his third Edison for the album ‘Campert’ (featuring Dutch poet Remco Campert), He recorded and toured with Paul Weller, programmed several festivals, toured in Brazil, Argentina, Kenya, Russia, Britain, Canada, England, Ireland and Japan and worked on numerous projects in the Netherlands. In 2006 he received the prestigious VPRO/Boy Edgar Award and was voted 'Best Dressed Dutchman of 2008' by Esquire magazine. In 2009 Benjamin and NCC released 4 cd’s a vinyl and a dvd. His 10th solo album Blue Sky Blond (which features Paul Weller, Perquisite, Git Hyper, Jesse van Ruller and many others) was the most downloaded jazz album in the Netherlands 2009. In 2010 Benjamin toured in the U.S.A. with his quartet, recorded a 7” vinyl EP in Shanghai and released a special edition of his album Hypochristmastreefuzz with bonus live cd. New Cool Collective released their 12th album in 2011. Benjamin is currently working on new vinyl’s and his 13th solo cd.

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Radio & Podcasts

Benjamin Herman, Janning Trumann, Ruth Goller, Guido Spannocchi & More

Read "Benjamin Herman, Janning Trumann, Ruth Goller, Guido Spannocchi & More" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


A playlist in which edgy and calm take turns, but never at the expense of the surprise factor.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Benjamin Herman “Hornin' Out" Nostalgia Blitz (Dox) 0:16 Oan Kim “Caravane Mélancolique" Oan Kim & the Dirty Jazz (Artwork) 3:24 Host talks 6:26 John Scofield “Mo Green" Uncle John's Band (ECM) 9:40 Janning Trumann Quartet feat. Brandon Seabrook “Amoresque" Echo (Tangible Music) 16:55 Fiona Grond ...

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Liner Notes

Yuri Honing: North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts

Read "Yuri Honing: North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts" reviewed by Ian Patterson


It's fitting that saxophonist, composer and quiet visionary Yuri Honing should be acknowledged as one of the pivotal voices in the history of the Netherland's world-renowned North Sea Jazz festival, described in 1990 by Jazz Times as “the best jazz festival in the world." Honing's first appearance at the NSJF's was in 1995, where he performed with pianist {Michiel Bortslap}}'s sextet. Since then, he has played all but three of the last 18 editions, reflecting his status alongside pianist Misha ...

4
Album Review

Suura: Stuve

Read "Stuve" reviewed by Mark Sullivan


Belgian guitarist Nicolas Van Belle is the primary composer for the quartet Suura. Since their debut Suura: Luwte (bwaa, 2020) the band has reorganized, released the live album Live at de Koer (1911582 Records DK2, 2022) and released this second studio album. The original group had alto and tenor saxophones, guitar and double bass. The new personnel keeps Van Belle (now also playing bouzouki and singing in addition to guitars) and double bassist Emanuel Van Mieghem, joined by Benjamin Hermans ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

Benjamin Herman Birthday Bash - Project S - Live at BIMHUIS Amsterdam

Read "Benjamin Herman Birthday Bash - Project S - Live at BIMHUIS Amsterdam" reviewed by BIMHUIS


Benjamin Herman is a widely known saxophonist, leader of the New Cool Collective and a Dutch jazz icon, always fresh-spirited and sharply dressed. His 50th birthday party at the BIMHUIS was all about his latest album, Project S. Project S was written for the eponymous documentary about the Citroën SM, the legendary car used by Presidents and celebrities, including Dutch soccer superstar Johan Cruijff. A Citroën with a Maserati motor, which is a way to describe the album's ...

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Album Review

Benjamin Herman: Hypochristmastreefuzz (Special Edition)

Read "Hypochristmastreefuzz (Special Edition)" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


Since Esquire voted alto saxophonist Benjamin Herman Best Dressed Dutchman 2008, most reviews of his music have felt compelled to mention the award, and this review is no exception. Of course, such sartorial fripperies would be barely worthy of comment if Herman couldn't actually play. But play he can--whether he's flying like Charlie Parker on “Hypochristmastreefuzz," blowing rhythm 'n' blues style on “Brozziman," or adding mournfully to the funereal sound of “Arm Weil." Hypochristmastreefuzz was originally released ...

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Performance / Tour

Benjamin Herman | ICP Orchestra

Benjamin Herman | ICP Orchestra

Source: Ars Nova Workshop

On November 10, 2010, Ars Nova Workshop presented the Netherlands' Benjamin Herman Quartet in Philadelphia. For those who experienced their smoking set of Misha Mengelberg compositions, you likely noticed the camera crew. WHYY-TV’s On Canvas documented this rare performance, which will be premiering on the channel tonight at 10pm. If you missed the concert, be sure to tune in, and check their website for future airings. The preview below shows the band playing a Mengelberg tune called “Brozziman,” inspired by ...

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Book / Magazine

Benjamin Herman, a Photo Essay to be Released at North Sea Jazz Festival

Benjamin Herman, a Photo Essay to be Released at North Sea Jazz Festival

Source: All About Jazz

At the opening of the North Sea Jazz Festival art show in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on July 9, Happy the Man, the new photo essay about the life of alto saxophonist Benjamin Herman (New Cool Collective) will be released. The book contains photos by master photographer and Silver Camera Award-winner Peter van Breukelen, with poetic texts by poet J.A. Deelder.

Van Breukelen followed Herman for more than a year at home, in the studio, backstage, and performing and chatting with ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Stuve

Bwaa.
2023

buy

Cafe Solo

Improvising Beings
2013

buy

North Sea Jazz...

Bob City Records
2013

buy

Deal

Improvising Beings
2012

buy

Sherry Britton /...

Improvising Beings
2011

buy

Room 1618

From: Deal
By Benjamin Herman

Brozziman

From: Hypochristmastreefuzz
By Benjamin Herman

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