Ben van Gelder: North Sea Jazz Compositieopdracht 2026

Discover unique jazz talent

Ben van Gelder is known as a distinctive voice in the jazz world. At a young age, he moved to New York, where he worked with top musicians for many years. He developed his own style as a soloist and composer, inspired by art history. Visual art and stories often form the basis for his music.

Enjoy award-winning music

With his quintet, Van Gelder released three successful albums. One of them is Among Verticals , which received five stars in the press. His recent album Manifold explores the church organ and received praise from the New York Times.

Experience a personal jazz tribute

The theme of this project is memory, which is of personal importance to Van Gelder. His mother was so moved by Abbey Lincoln 's performance in 1981 that it led to Van Gelder's existence. Lincoln forms the heart of this project. Her texts on ancestry, time, and identity inspire new compositions. Archival photos of his father and live visuals by Várvara Tazelaar complete the picture. Van Gelder collaborates with musicians dear to him, such as Nelson Veras, Martin Nevin, Craig Weinrib , and Peter Schlamb . His brother , Gideon van Gelder, is a special guest. Together, they create a unique musical experience. Attend this concert and let yourself be carried away by the music. You will experience an evening full of high-level jazz.