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Sebastiaan van Bavel

Biography
Press

Sebastiaan van Bavel is a pianist and composer combining the jazz tradition with elements from Indian and Western classical music. Although you will find his compositions to resemble a classical symphony more than a jazz standard, improvisation and swing always prevail in his music. Sebastiaan is in love with the piano trio format but is also praised when performing solo or as part of The Edison Duo with renowned jazz pianist Rob van Bavel (who just happens to be his dad). Sebastiaan likes to experiment with sound and timbre by occasionally expanding his trio with vocals, strings and/or horns. No matter the line-up, you will always hear Sebastiaan’s signature in his compositions and his imposing piano play. For debut album As The Journey Begins the Sebastiaan van Bavel Trio is awarded an Edison (Dutch Grammy) for Best Dutch Jazz Album of 2014. In 2016 Sebastiaan releases his second album Cosmic Dance with the Sebastiaan van Bavel Trio & Jasper Blom / Vera Naus. Learn more about Sebastiaan and his music on www.sebastiaanvanbavel.com.

Awards

2018: Young VIP (most promising Dutch jazz artist 2018) 2016: 2nd prize Unisa International Jazz Piano Competition 2015: Zilveren Notenkraker nomination 2015: Conservatorium Talent Award 2014: Edison Award - Best Dutch Jazz Album 2014 2012: Winner Dordtse Jazz Competition 2011: Winner Prinses Christina Concours Classical 2008: Winner Prinses Christina Concours Jazz

Tags

“An extraordinary talent and a new star amongst the Dutch jazz pianists.” - Vera Vingerhoeds

“I recently checked Sebastiaan van Bavel […] very impressive.” - Brad Mehldau

“It’s wonderful when a pianist can play jazz but also digs in his own backyard; the European music history. […] Both his music and his piano skills are already very far developed. He is a ‘pianistic pianist’, building bridges between Messiaen, Indian music, and jazz.” - Yuri Honing

“The organic interplay of the musicians makes the trio sound as a single instrument and reminds of the quality of the legendary Bill Evans’ trio with Paul Motian and Scott LaFaro.” - Cor Bakker (Edison 2014 Jury Report)