Michiel Braam (piano) - Frank Nielander (altosax) - Iain Ballamy (tenorsax) - Wilbert de Joode (double bass) - Martin France (drums)

In 1993 the duo ‘Two Penguins in the Desert’ played in the ‘Bimhuis at the Birmingham’-festival, alongside Willem Breuker Kollektief, The ICP orchestra, and the podium trio. On account of this concert Braam was commissioned by Birmingham Jazz to rewrite some compositions of pianist-composer Lennie Tristano, and these pieces were to be played by an Anglo-Dutch quintet at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam for Dutch Radio and the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham. Together with the Tristano arrangements Braam wrote a song book, the ‘Second Cool Book’, with pieces in it that referred to Lennie Tristano. The arrangements were - by the way - of ‘Turkish mambo’, ‘Requiem’, ‘Wow’ and ‘Crosscurrents’. The musicians are all young jazz-musicians, who have no special need to being dogmatic in their musical choices, which makes the music very fresh. Of this quintet only a beautiful broadcasting-tape is available.

The Press:
What a wonderful evening this was. Commissioned to work over his idol Lennie Tristano by Birmingham Jazz as part of the Millennium Festival, Michiel Braam conjured two of the most entertaining, thought provoking and witty sets of jazz ever heard in this theatre. Unafraid of taking chances, Braam led a superbly-at-ease Anglo-Dutch quintet, featuring a truly delightful saxophone pairing of Iain Ballamy and Frank Nielander, through riveting musical twists and turns.
Ten Braam compositions, ranging from furious bebop and exiting free jazz anarchy to swing and genuinely moving ballads. As for Braam’s playing, it was overflowing with brilliant ideas, technical firecrackers and quite a few funny-in-jokes. Certainly a player who deserves more exposure over here and this band, which also featured the excellently responsive rhythm section of Wilbert de Joode and Martin France, is possibly the vehicle to secure it. (BIRMINGHAM POST (ENGLAND))

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