Growing Pains

Bik Bent Braam is a 13-piece improvising 'big band' from the Netherlands, led by pianist/composer Michiel Braam. The band performs without a setlist - it employs a strategy in which the musicians all provide input, calling out tunes in mid-phrase and deciding tempo and instrumentation, to generate a new musical direction for the ensemble. Compelling themes, echoing jazz history, and precise ensemble work alternate with wild, screaming improvisations. Michiel Braam wrote two compositions for each of the band members. He writes his material with his musicians in mind, thus getting the best out of each of them. Line-up: Michiel Braam (piano), Wilbert de Joode (double bass), Joop van Erven (drums), Frank Gratkowski (altosax, (bass)clarinet), Frans Vermeerssen (tenorsax, baritone sax), Jan Willem van der Ham (altosax, bassoon), Bart van der Putten (altosax, clarinet), Peter Haex (euphonium), Patrick Votrian (tuba), Eric Boeren (cornet), Angelo Verploegen (trumpet), Wolter Wierbos and Hans Sparla (trombone).