Eric Vloeimans (trumpet) - Eric Boeren (trumpet) - Wolter Wierbos (trombone) - Hans Sparla (trombone) - Peter Haex (tenortuba) - Patrick Votrian (basstuba) - Frank Nielander (sopranosax) - Bart van der Putten (altosax) - Frans Vermeerssen (tenorsax) - Rutger van Otterlo (baritonsax) - Michiel Braam (piano and conduction) - Wilbert de Joode (double bass) - Joop van Erven (drums)

In this orchestra 13 top-musicians of the Dutch Jazz scene are brought together to play the music of Michiel Braam, compositions which (according to the press) are among the most fascinating things in present-day-jazz in the Netherlands. The orchestra was founded in 1986, for the occasion of the second international ‘Music Meeting’-festival at Nijmegen (the Netherlands), and has now a stabilised strength, which gives the group a very powerful body, and a great acoustic sound with a large dynamic range and numerous possibilities in spheres.

Last season the orchestra played a program which contained 26 pieces, ‘Het XYZ der Bik Bent Braam’ (The Bik Bent Braam Alphabet). This, by the public and press very well received, program was broadcasted Europe-wide on 31 May 1996.

The complete recordings of this broadcasting will be released on a double CD which will be presented on Friday 13 December 1996 in Vredenburg Utrecht during a lunch-concert as part of the ‘Nederlandse Muziekdagen’.

Compact Discs:
‘Howdy!’ (Timeless CDSJP 388)
‘Het XYZ der Bik Bent Braam’ (The Bik Bent Braam Alphabet) (BVHaast 9610-11)

The Press:
Bik Bent Braam is the most infectious jazz-orchestra found in the Netherlands and surroundings nowadays.(NIEUWSBLAD VAN HET NOORDEN.)

Braam sat with tucked up sleeves at the piano, regularly was seen in front of the orchestra to conduct it trough difficult parts, and kept a balance between resolute accompaniments and dissolute improvisation. Sound a-capella choirs for 3 trombones, sensual winding lines for four saxophones, a comic puffing duet for tubas, growling Ellington trumpets, Cecil Taylor-like piano-violence, Braam controls it all and makes beautiful connections between all those contrasts, varying from mean sandpaper to the most luxurious velours.( VOLKSKRANT)

Michiel Braam is not afraid of unorthodox ideas, and proves to be a virtuoso master of the arranging art.(JAZZPODIUM (GERMANY))

In his music, Braam has found a perfect balance between the classical big band idiom, and a more contemporary sound.(TROUW)

Information and bookings:
Bik Bent Braam, Spoorstraat 32, 5451 GB Mill, The Netherlands
Telephone and telefax: +31 485.455.330
E-mail: bik.bent.braam@pi.net