Ever since Wayne Horvitz made a name for himself in bands led by the likes of John Zorn and Bill Frisell in the 1980s, the pianist/composer has deepened his musical tracks even more. As a bandleader, Wayne Horvitz experimented in formations like The President, Pig Pen and Zony Mash. His characteristic, quiet, Satie-like melodies seem to thrive in acoustic settings. His duo with bassoonist Sara Schoenbeck will have its European premiere at the Aduard monastery church.

The Nationaal Jeugd Jazz Orkest (National Youth Jazz Orchestra) is completely revamped for the seventh edition. Every two years, fresh young musicians are recruited from the Dutch conservatories for this learning orchestra. This time, Maarten Hogenhuis will lead this 19 piece group. His predecessors were Eric Vloeimans, Anton Goudsmit, Martin Fondse and Ruben Hein. In daily life, Maarten Hogenhuis is saxophonist with the band Bruut! And with the NJJO he will definitely express his love for meaty funky rhythms.

Canadian bassist Miles Perkin assembled his quartet with a number of wonderful musicians. They each boast of an impressive career and a distinctive sound. Jim Black was introduced to adventurously minded jazz lovers in groups led by Tim Berne (Bloodcount), Dave Douglas (Tiny Bell Trio) and Ellery Eskelin. He toured extensively with his own band Alasnoaxis. Nowadays, drummer Jim Black operates from Berlin, just like bassist Miles Perkin. Pianist Benoît Delbecq and trumpeter Tom Arthurs are based in Paris and London, respectively. How about the music? It can be hauntingly beautiful. No more, no less.

Bab Ad-Daar is Arabic and roughly means ‘front door’. For the makers of Bab Ad-Daar it means that their door is always open. Bab Ad-Daar is a community of over 150 newcomers who rehearse and make productions together, and develop theatrical participation programmes for performances by NITE. Bab Ad-Daar is part of NITE (Noord Nederlands Toneel + Club Guy & Roni). The production is called ECHO | صَدَى and will take you on a musical journey. It’s a melting pot of traditional music, pop, Sofia-Andalusia, Moashahat, and a variety of Western European, Spanish and Arab music.

The 15 piece orchestra Flat Earth Society still guarantees a massive big band sound, made up of layers of swing, mambo, Latin, chanson, cabaret, R&B, cartoon music and fragments from the history of jazz. In composer Peter Vermeersch’s compositions a clear line can be distinguished. "…multi-coloured surrealism and practical whimsy go hand in hand with a Belgian idiosyncrasy that is as logical as it is irresistible." After 11 years the band finally returns to Hans’s barn in Feerwerd.