LOUIS ARMSTRONG Celebration Band

LOUIS ARMSTRONG CELEBRATION BAND\n\nTrumpeter & singer Michael Varekamp is ten years old when he finds a record in his father's record cabinet: The Townhall Concert van Louis Armstrong. He puts it on and is immediately hooked. All he can think is 'I want that too!'. What follows is an intense period of trying, listening, practicing, and trying again. Ten years later, he travels the world as a jazz trumpeter and Louis Armstrong expert. He is a member of the Dutch Swing College Band for five years, receives the Kobe Award in Japan, plays in Jazz at Lincoln Center, is a special guest in the band of Kenny Ball, and performs in a New Orleans program together with Branford Marsalis.\n\nWhen he – again ten years later – makes a pilgrimage to Louis's house in New York City and is allowed to play on Louis's trumpets, he is inspired anew. Together with the famous pianist Harry Kanters, he decides to found a band that approaches Louis's music in its own unique way while still managing to touch the soul of their source of inspiration.\n\nThe famous pianist Harry Kanters from Breda is an absolute master in the field of swing and old-style jazz. It is not for nothing that he frequently played with top soloists such as Leroy Jones, Dan Barret, and Jason Marsalis in clubs and at festivals all over the world.\n\nThe two decide to surround themselves with dedicated musicians who have amply earned their stripes in traditional jazz. It is not for nothing that the other members of the ensemble played with, among others, the Reunion Jazz Band, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Scott Hamilton, and Lilian Boute.\n\nThis year saw the release of the first CD of this seasoned bunch of jazz veterans. The audience is taken by this unique All Star ensemble on a journey through time when jazz was invariably a party. The music lives and swings and makes the character of Louis almost tangible.\n\nWhat a Wonderful World!\n\nPress\n\n“Satchmo’s new sound…” – Het Parool\n\n“Louis Armstrong revives in Varekamp's trumpet playing…” – NRC\n\n“A dazzling lexicon of jazz trumpet playing..........” - The Herald Tribune\n\n“An astonishing sound and beautiful phrasing…” - Le Monde Line Up Michael Varekamp         Trompet/Vocals Harry Kanters                   Piano Peter Verhas                    Clarinet/Sax Harry Emmery                 Contrabas Erik Kooger                       Drums