Jazz Articles about Han Bennink

Bennink/Clark/Glerum: Home Safely

by Eric J. Iannelli
June 10, 2004

Home Safely is the first release by Favorite Records, a record label formed this year, though the album itself was cut over a decade ago at Amsterdam’s Bimhuis. The trio features Chicago-born pianist Curtis Clark, bandleader for this session and the composer of all twelve tracks found here, as well as two prolific Dutchmen: drummer Han Bennink and bassist Ernst Glerum.

This outstanding disc has the mood and sound of a mainstream jazz release from the late ’50s ...

Drummer Han Bennink

by Andrey Henkin
March 13, 2003

Do not take Han Bennink lightly. While his exuberance is refreshing and entertaining, above all he is a passionate and committed musician with an international resume spanning five decades. The son of a concert percussionist, Dutchman Bennink has been around the drums since birth. Bennink recounts, “I was a lonely child and went with my father all the time to the studio when I was a pupil. I would sit next to him and soon as the studio ...

Han Bennink & Evan Parker: The Grass is Greener

by John Eyles
May 25, 2002

Now Evan Parker has his own label, one would assume that its releases of his own music are those he considers among his best. That was certainly true of Lines Burnt in Light, the label's extraordinary debut on which Parker played solo soprano sax. Han Bennink & Evan Parker are an excellent pairing, but this release falls well within the boundaries of “normal improvisation." In other words, it does not have the same immediate appeal as Lines Burnt in Light, ...

Han Bennink & Terrie Ex: The Laughing Owl

by AAJ Staff
June 1, 2001

Try to imagine the sounds of a laughing owl, and you might find yourself hooted out of your somber existence. Dutch drummer Han Bennink has made a career out of his quick-witted sense of humor, and he finds a willing partner on this expedition with the Ex's noisy guitarist, Terrie Ex. Both players certainly have the experience to justify a fresh round of free improvisation. The 17 pieces on The Laughing Owl range from spacious, open interplay to rousing, intense ...

Han Bennink: Nerve Beats

by Derek Taylor
October 1, 2000

Throughout his variegated career Han Bennink has carved out a place for himself as one of the crowning clown princes of creative improvised music. When he’s behind a drum kit the general rule of thumb is: anything goes as long as it’s laced with self-effacing humor. Even on early gigs, such as the germinal one he took part in as a sideman with Eric Dolphy ( Last Date on Fontana) his idiosyncratic, and some might argue erratic, style was firmly ...

Han Bennink: Nerve Beats

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 2000

On Nerve Beats, a welcome reissue of a live 1973 Radio Bremen recording, drummer Han Bennink occupies the stage alone. But he's got a complete toy kit, and they are toys in the most playful sense. During, between, and after his drum improvisations he employs whistles, hoots, hollers, clarinet, trombone, and whatever it takes to allow him the freedom to twist the music inside out. The drumming on Nerve Beats can be busy, pulsing, and polyrhythmic--or sparse, colorful, and open. ...

Bennink - Chadbourne - Kondo: Jazz Bunker

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Hot off the press, is this new 2 CD-set titled, Jazz Bunker brought to you by the venerable folks at “Leo Records” and their recent upstart, “Golden Years of New Jazz”. Once again, the archives enjoy new life as these performances in particular emanate from a 1980 live date at the Jazz Bunker in Rotterdam, Holland by the trio of Han Bennink, Eugene Chadbourne and Toshinori Kondo. The great drummer Han Bennink is also known for his cavorting and somewhat ...