Jazz Articles about Ben van Gelder

About Ben van Gelder

Album Review

Alex Goodman: Impressions in Blue and Red

Read "Impressions in Blue and Red" reviewed by Rob Shepherd

by Rob Shepherd
March 26, 2020

For most, there is a clear divide between musical and visual arts. But for individuals with chromesthesia, a condition where one sees colors when they hear a particular sound, the two can prove inseparable. Throughout history, many jazz musicians have exhibited chromesthesic symptoms, including Marian McPartland, James Francies, and drum legend Elvin Jones. Duke Ellington saw dark blue burlap when he played a D note and light blue satin for a G. Another, guitarist Alex Goodman, shares his experience on ...

Album Review

Ben van Gelder & Reinier Baas: Mokum in HI-FI

Read "Mokum in HI-FI" reviewed by Vincenzo Roggero

by Vincenzo Roggero
January 30, 2020

Avevamo lascito gli ineffabili Ben Van Gelder e Reinier Baas alle prese con la Metropole Orkest nello sfavillante Smash Hits , ed eccoli ripresentarsi a distanza di un anno in duo, ossia con la formazione che si è esibita sui palchi di mezza Europa e li ha fatti conoscere al grande pubblico. I due non hanno certo perso il senso dell'humor, il piacere del gioco, del cambiare le carte in tavola che caratterizza da sempre il loro approccio musicale. A ...

Album Review

Reinier Baas, Ben van Gelder, Metropole Orkest: Smash Hits

Read "Smash Hits" reviewed by Vincenzo Roggero

by Vincenzo Roggero
November 27, 2018

Il chitarrista Reinier Baas ed il sassofonista Ben van Gelder pur essendo ancora in giovane età (trentatré anni il primo, trenta il secondo) vantano già diversi riconoscimenti internazionali, numerose collaborazioni prestigiose, e un'intensa attività concertistica che solo nell'ultimo anno li ha visti condividere il palco oltre duecento volte (tra le quali le apprezzate esibizioni allo Young Jazz Festival di Foligno e alla Sala Vanni di Firenze).I brani presenti in Smash Hits--già presenti in altra veste nei precedenti album ...

Album Review

Ben van Gelder: Reprise

Read "Reprise" reviewed by Mark F. Turner

by Mark F. Turner
January 29, 2014

Marked by an attentive copacetic style, Ben van Gelder's sophomore release Reprise is a continuation of good music witnessed in his 2011 debut Frame of Reference . The alto saxophonist's release on Pirouet Records moves forward with an introspective and airy vibe brought via quintet of peers that's gelled into a tight unit over two years in New York. The set is a cohesive linking of free improvisation and thoughtful composition that combine tension and release ...

208

Album Review

Ben van Gelder: Frame of Reference

Read "Frame of Reference" reviewed by Mark F. Turner

by Mark F. Turner
November 21, 2011

It's hard to believe that Frame of Reference is a debut. The compositions are beguiling, spirited yet poised, and doused with the arid phrasing of a seasoned master. But there's also a youthful exuberance that accompanies 22 year-old saxophonist Ben Van Gelder, who studied music at the Conservatory of Amsterdam and travels between New York and his homeland in TRhe Netherlands in pursuit of his passion for jazz. Van Gelder's energy is echoed by an adept quintet ...