Swing Festival Breda gives young talent a chance

Written by | Festivals, News

The inner city of Breda celebrates the 11th edition of the Swing Festival on Sunday afternoon 28 October. Entrance free concerts can be visited at four locations in the centre of the Dutch City. Breda is a town with a rich jazz tradition. The Four-day festival, which attracts over 250,000 visitors.

Swing festival organizer Jan Learbuch has been using the same formula for years now: a mix of young talent and well-known jazz musicians. That is the same formula as he uses for the monthly swing concerts in Breda. Young talents are given the chance to play for an audience and they get experienced in performing on stage. And there is more to it. During the swing festival in the city centre of Breda, young people come into contact with the art form jazz and that can help to stimulate their interest. And jazz can do with more attention from the public.

One of the famous artists on the 28th of October is drummer Hans van Oosterhout. For years he was part of the European quartet of Toots Thielemans. He also played a long time with singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. During the swing festival, he performs with father and son Happel: father Harry plays piano and son Sven is a bassist. Trumpeter Ellister van der Molen is also a well-established name. She is one of the few female trumpeters who has reached the top level in Europe. The talented tenor saxophonist Floriaan Wempe plays In her quintet.

Singer Egle Petrosiute from Lithuania has also been contracted. She performs with the trio of pianist Harry Kanters. Other bands include Candy Lemonades and the hard bop quintet The King Swings. Traditionally the start of the festival is taken care of by music students of the Mencia de Mendoza Lyceum Breda. The first concert starts at 14.30 pm. The festival ends at 18.15 pm.

More information about venues and timetable: Swing Festival Breda 2018

Text: Peter Beije

Photo credits: Swing Festival Breda 2018 – and (c) info: all rights go to original recording artist/owner/photographer(s).

Last modified: October 16, 2018