The careers of guitarist/composer Reinier Baas and alto saxophonist Ben van Gelder are intertwined. They have played together in countless formations, both driven by a penchant for innovation, challenge, and surprise. Together, these young jazz heroes sound like a complete orchestra.
This Is Water
After playing as a trio with Han Bennink on drums, as soloists within the Metropole Orchestra, and in each other's bands, Reinier Baas and Ben van Gelder are now joining forces as a duo. A first result of their collaboration is titled *This Is Water*, which was released in September 2024 and received excellent reviews. Their music has its own language in which diverse genres such as jazz, hip-hop, bossanova, indie rock, and contemporary classical music meet without becoming a jumble.
Reinier Baas and Ben van Gelder
Reinier Baas is the brand-new winner of the Boy Edgar Prize, the most venerable Dutch award in jazz and improvised music. Praised for his open musical perspective and connection between multiple genres, he has a fine partner in Ben van Gelder, also someone who enjoys broadening his horizons and constantly trying something new. The duo works conceptually with self-written compositions, but also leaves room for improvisation and surprise.
