Maarten Ornstein is a Dutch musician based in Amsterdam. He plays tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet and also works as a composer and arranger. On occasion he plays tarogato, electric saxophone, MPC and laptop computers. He leads the free funk ensemble DASH! and performs as a soloist. Additionally, he plays with lutist Mike Fentross, singer Rima Khcheich, poet and singer Jeannine Valeriano. and pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs. Maarten Ornstein endorses Légère reeds and is a member of Splendor Amsterdam. Both in his paying and composing, Maarten Ornstein is always looking for new challenges, people to work with, rules to break and boundaries to cross. Exploration, mastering and mixing of new genres is at the heart of his musical life, which results in a huge diversity in his musical output. But regardless of the genre, his voice on his instrument is always instantly recognisable. He combines explosive virtuosity with a strong lyrical talent and the ability to make every note count.
Awards
Winner 1989 European Jazz Contest, Leverkussen Germany
Winner 1989 Soloist Prize for bass clarinet, NOS Jazz Festival Amsterdam
DASH! Off is the fourth album of DASH!, the Amsterdam-based free-funk trio led by saxophonist-clarinettist-composer Maarten Ornstein. This new album was recorded live in Splendor Amsterdam, the city's most dynamic new music venue. DASH! Off offers five trio pieces and a 30 minute suite featuring special guests Michael Moore, Joost Buis, Jasper Stadhouders and Joshua Samson, all of whom have worked with DASH! before. Inspiration for this new album comes from the likes of Ornette Coleman, James “Blood" Ulmer, Sonny ... read more
"Maarten Ornstein has proved once again he is an exceptional force in the
contemporary Dutch music scene, both as a performer and composer"
“Maarten Ornstein’s DASH! is absolutely unique”
“It’s arty, crazy, highly individual, and streetwise all at the
same time.”
“DASH! sounds like an Oriental version of Frank Zappa or
Parliament/Funkadelic, but even more like a group of
magicians who lure the audience into the unknown”
“Many bands pretend to do something new, but very few can
actually substantiate this claim. DASH! is an exception to this
rule.”
“The indian influences, breathtaking eruptions of funk and soul
and irresistible melodies by Ornstein make for a stimulating
listening experience. Keep following DASH!”
"Maarten Ornstein has proved once again he is an exceptional force in the
contemporary Dutch music scene, both as a performer and composer"
“Maarten Ornstein’s DASH! is absolutely unique”
“It’s arty, crazy, highly individual, and streetwise all at the
same time.”
“DASH! sounds like an Oriental version of Frank Zappa or
Parliament/Funkadelic, but even more like a group of
magicians who lure the audience into the unknown”
“Many bands pretend to do something new, but very few can
actually substantiate this claim. DASH! is an exception to this
rule.”
“The indian influences, breathtaking eruptions of funk and soul
and irresistible melodies by Ornstein make for a stimulating
listening experience. Keep following DASH!”
“....controversial...”
“The music of DASH! is dazzling.”
“Beautiful compositions by Maarten Ornstein”
“I was impressed by the glorious chords, and especially by
the delightful saxophone.”
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