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Edgar Van Asselt

I'm a composer, pianist and producer from The Netherlands. DIY guy, outside-the-box thinker and having a jazz mind

About Me

DIY, on-the-fly and versatility are words that come to mind about pianist, composer, producer and cultural entrepreneur Edgar van Asselt. After completing a bachelor in applied economics he dedicated himself to music. Next to his studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague he started gigging, teaching and composing. Later he also started organising his own projects and concerts. Resulting in concert series, tours and a number of well received albums, often in collaboration with other musicians.

As a bandleader and co-leader, pianist, and producer Edgar worked with the likes of David Schnitter, Lucy Woodward, Jorge Vistel, Findley Brothers, Robertinho Silva, Ack van Rooijen, Jorge Rossy and Jeroen Vierdag. With the last two he recorded his new album 'the Gentle Insult'.

The experience of leading his own projects got him a job as a music project leader in Schilderswijk, a large multi-cultural neighbourhood in The Hague. Among the community projects he organised was a project for rappers and beatboxers hosted by British beatboxers Schlomo and MC Zani and a large project that involved a three week artist in residence of Brazilian star percussionist Robertinho Silva.

Edgar also started organising larger projects and festivals, often including educational activities. In the Hague, he joined the worldwide International Jazz Day celebration by organising The Hague International Jazz Days. Two editions headlined Brazilian artists Tania Maria and Ed Motta. .

My Jazz Story

I approach jazz more as a kind of mindset than as a stylistic reference. I guess when watching the really great, like Miles, you can learn how important it is to be open for whatever might come up. Wayne Shorter referred to it as 'a ticket to nowhere'. I approach jazz more as a kind of mindset than as a stylistic reference. I guess when watching the really great, like Miles, you can learn how important it is to be open for whatever might come up. Wayne Shorter referred to it as 'a ticket to nowhere'. things that are not already there, but might sound cool. So, for me it's really an open minded state of being that's the main thing. Whether what you'll produce with that mindset is qualified as 'jazz' is not so important to me. I just love to hang and play with musicians that have the same kind of mindset. When everybody is on the same page, it's just that the music get's another dimension and it gets more richer and beautiful. For me the connection between the musicians and between the musicians and the audience is where everything takes place, especially the communication with and via the music. Like Chick Corea said 'the pay of playing jazz is the fun'. things that are not already there, but might sound cool. So, for me it's really an open minded state of being that's the main thing. Whether what you'll produce with that mindset is qualified as 'jazz' is not so important to me. I just love to hang and play with musicians that have the same kind of mindset. When everybody is on the same page, it's just that the music get's another dimension and it gets more richer and beautiful. For me the connection between the musicians and between the musicians and the audience is where everything takes place, especially the communication with and via the music. Like Chick Corea said 'the pay of playing jazz is the fun'.

My House Concert Story

I played a house concert few years a go in Madrid, with a great Cuban trumpet player. It was a duo concert and everybody was so quiet...the intensity was there....