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Harry Happel

The Dutch jazz trio INTRIODUCTION was set up in 1976 by leader Harry Happel, a fantastic self-taught piano player. The Trio got to the top in a short period of time after they had been on television and had played a lot of live jazz in the famous Dutch radio jazz program "Sesjun". After these performances, the media described INTRIODUCTION in terms such as: "exceptional class", "professional" and "swinging”. They felt honoured, after having played on the 100th, 250th and 500th broadcasting anniversary of the program, when they were asked to play in the 1000th program as well!

The musical style of Harry Happel is mainstream and has been influenced by musicians like Monty Alexander, Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris etc. In that time he played on festivals in Belgium in the "Brussels Jazz club", as well as in Cologne’s “Jazzclub Subway” in Germany. In 1980 a radio station in California had a special day about INTRIODUCTION with an interview with the pianist Harry Happel broadcasted every hour, followed by a song of one of the trio’s records.

In 1989, Harry and his trio gave some concerts in the world-famous large hall of the "Concertgebouw" in Amsterdam and in the Rotterdam concert hall "de Doelen". And he played at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Hague as well. One of these concerts has been recorded on a double album. This became INTRIODUCTION’s 4th album and was released on CD in 1993 (label Timeless CD SJP 156). They also did some live radio programs with singer Dee Daniels from Vancouver, whom they toured with through Europe. This tour ended in a concert in the famous jazz club "Hot Brass" in Aix-en-Provence in the South of France.

From 1990 – 1995 Harry had some musical adventures in Japan, Switzerland, Finland and in the Netherlands he performed at several jazz festivals. Harry likes challenges too: He played, for example, in a concert for two piano’s together with a classical pianist and in a gospel concert in the cathedral of Hasselt in Belgium, with singer Denise Jannah.

From 2000 on , Harry has recorded several CD’s. He was asked to join in the solo series of Dutch pianists “Jazz at the Pinehill” (PH CHR 5083) and the recordings were made on a fantastic Bosendorfer Imperial.

Another album worth listening to is an easy-listening Christmas CD with vocalist Yvonne Walter. In May 2008, Harry Happel played with his band on the World Royal Super Yacht Show in Spain, the most exclusive yacht show in the world, to entertain the special visitors. He performed in Spain with the Dutch vocalist Marjoleine Leene. Therefore Harry produced a CD with wonderful songs composed by the very talented vocalist Marjoleine. Her songs are sounding like the famous jazz standards !!!

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