The American George Gershwin is one of composer and pianist Rembrandt Frerichs’s greatest inspirations. Like a bolt from the blue, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for piano and jazz band burst onto the European music scene nearly a century ago. And to this day, the work continues to resonate. Anyone who has ever heard the piercing clarinet solo that opens this popular piano concerto will never forget it. A hundred years later, we set out to find today’s Dutch Gershwin.

Michael Gieler, artistic director of Music Stages: ‘Rembrandt is a wonderful artist, versatile and inventive. We’ve asked him and three young Dutch composers to follow in Gershwin’s footsteps and write a new piece that bridges the gap between jazz and classical music. They’ll have a fantastic group of musicians at their disposal for the performance. Full swing guaranteed!’

We’re not going to let the best concert of 2020 slip through our fingers just like that. The concert on May 22, featuring a collaboration between Graziëlla Hunsel Rivero—“The First Lady of Jazz from Amsterdam-Zuidoost”—and the versatile pianist and composer Rembrandt Frerichs, will get a second chance on October 2. Fine jazz combined with classical music is a true musical experience.

Graziella Hunsel really needs no introduction. This charismatic singer has long since stolen the hearts of all jazz lovers—and certainly not just in the Bijlmer. All of her concerts are a celebration where musicians and the audience feel at home and welcome.
For this program, she and artistic director Michael Gieler put together a swinging program including some of the most beautiful jazz standards, ranging from George Gershwin to Ella Fitzgerald.