Henk Kraaijeveld

In the land of European jazz vocalists, Henk Kraaijeveld occupies a unique place somewhere between the known and the unknown. He is one of the rare male vocalists that seek musical adventure, bringing together compelling music with poetic lyrics and surprising improvisations. The award-winning singer disarms his audience with his warm voice and natural playfulness on stage. To Kraaijeveld, the storytelling character of music is essential, because of its power to connect people with themselves and the world around them. “I’m fascinated about our human need to show vulnerability and our longing to be loved as authentic beings with all our possibilities and flaws. I see that reflected in many (current) social developments. In my music and lyrics I always try to relate to that. You can hear that on the new album Patches of Sky, that has just been released.”

In his adventurous songs melodious and light-footed music alternates with vivacious grooves and harmonies. Brought up with classical (choral) music and The Beatles and educated in the vocal jazz tradition (with singers like Mark Murphy, Kurt Elling, David Linx), he brings all sorts of influences into his music, from Sting to Avishai Cohen and Esperanza Spalding. His ‘all-star’ quintet features some of the most sought after creative and energetic musicians from the Netherlands, with Daan Herweg on piano, Tobias Nijboer on double bass, Roberto Pistolesi on drums and saxophonist Paul van der Feen as sideman. “Each of us has a strong musical personality and I like there to be space for friction, because it’s exciting and in the end we always serve the band sound.” Any concert the band plays is a guarantee for exciting musical interaction, on stage as well as with the audience, whether playing in a hospital, a crowded bar or jazzfestival.

Early 2018, Henk released his debut album Passengers at the renowned Bimhuis in Amsterdam. The album is the outcome of his collaboration with pianist and songwriter Daan Herweg, and contains original songs by Kraaijeveld/Herweg and covers. It was well received by critics as well as the audience. Next to jazz venues in the Netherlands, Kraaijeveld toured in various countries, among which are China, Malaysia and South-Korea. In 2019, the band played at Taichung Jazz Festival, collaborating with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. His second album Patches of Sky has been freshly released in the spring of 2023 and already received plaudits from the international trade press. (read here) The quintet continues its in depth explorations where jazz and hypnotic storytelling intertwine, taking on a Dutch Jazz club tour and an international tour in Indonesia.

In 2013 Kraaijeveld won both jury- and audience award at the 10th edition of the Dutch Vocal jazz competition (Nederlands Jazz Vocalisten Concours). The jury praised his ‘relaxed performance in which he connects very well with the audience, blends his warm and beautiful voice perfectly with the sound of the band, while showing an impressive vocal range’. Kraaijeveld graduated cum laude from Utrecht Conservatory in 2012 and studied at Manhattan School of Music, New York with renowned songwriter, composer and arranger Peter Eldridge.

Awards

2013 - Winner Dutch Vocal Jazz Competition