Jazz Music in Amsterdam – Musicians
Somewhere in Holland, Amsterdam – amid coffee bars that sell a lot more than espresso, and bay front windows that showcase gorgeous women selling love by the quarter-hour – a trio of musicians is improvising a tune to the admiration of every ear in the audience.
Some of the most contemporary and avant-garde jazz music in Europe is being played nightly in Amsterdam and you’ll never hear it unless you’re there soaking it all up in the smoke-filled ambiance of any number of jazz clubs in the city proper.
Two of the most famous clubs (among dozens) are the Bimhuis (Tel: 623-33-73) and the Cafe ‘t Geveltje (Tel: 020-623-9983)
The Bimhuis (pronounced: bim-house), presents the best in jazz and improvised music and is one of the most famous jazz clubs in Europe. Amsterdam’s main jazz venue attracts Dutch and international jazz greats like Bob Berg, Steve Solo and Kenny Wheeler.
Cafe’t Geveltje has been open for more than a quarter-century in the heart of downtown Amsterdam. The Cafe hosts jazz jam sessions and workshops. Many of the musicians who perform in well-known Dutch jazz groups started their careers in ‘t Geveltje. A meeting place, where beginners as well as professional musicians can freely jam together. Every week there are two jazz sessions programmed: A jazz session for beginners on Monday and a jazz session for professionals on Friday.
One thread is common among all the jazz clubs in Amsterdam – it’s about listening to music and making music
A side note: the world’s largest jazz festival is the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague in July, and while they’re there, many international greats take the opportunity to take to the stage in Amsterdam too.
