Jazz Articles about John Engels

About John Engels

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John Engels Just Turned 90, But Who’s Counting?

by Joan Gannij
May 29, 2025

What do you give a man for his 90th birthday, who has everything in terms of chops, contentment, experience, and energy? How about a special edition of an Edison Prize, combined with a birthday tribute concert. Amsterdam's Bimhuis was packed to standing room, filled with friends, family, musicians and music lovers. This was no ordinary birthday celebration, although there was a cake, flowers, balloons and some special gifts, including an invitation from Sonor to visit their factory in Germany. John ...

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John Engels: Looking Back, Moving Forward

by Joan Gannij
April 28, 2015

Drummer John Engels has the energy of two forty-year olds, which is pretty impressive, since he will soon be turning 80. He will celebrate this auspicious occasion with the Vogel Vrij (Free as a Bird) tour, a series of concerts at diverse venues throughout the Netherlands (with saxophonists Benny Golson and Benjamin Herman) which began in April and continues through October. A book was also recently published in Dutch: Hé Vogel, Wanneer Spelen We Weer?: Het Muzikale Leven van John ...