Born in São Paulo, Lucas Figueiredo started his musical studies playing the clarinet in the city of Piracaia, in the country side of São Paulo – Brazil. Through years of hard work, he had the opportunity to participate in several groups in the Bragantine Region, such as the Youth Big Band of Atibaia and the Youth Symphonic Band of Bragança Paulista.
By playing with the Youth Orchestra Tom Jobim – EMESP he was able to perform in some of the most important theaters of the State of São Paulo like the Latin America Memorial, the MASP Auditorium, the São Pedro theater and Sala São Paulo with great artists of Brazilian music such as Roberto Sion, Nelson Ayres, Monica Salmaso, Tatiana Parra, Benjamim Taubkim, Marcos Suzano, Ricardo Herz, Nailor Proveta, among others.
He won the Young Soloist prize into the Tom Jobim Youth Orchestra in 2014 and Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation award 2016. Lucas received a scholarship for the first year of the bachelor’s degree in the Conservatorium van Amsterdam – Holland. Since then he has been developing his career in Europe.
Playing solo, he shared the stage with several artists of Brazilian instrumental music like Edu Ribeiro, Paulo Braga, Marinho Andreotti, Eduardo Neves, Moises Alves, Daniel Sá, Michel Dorfman, Renato Borghetti and many others.
At the moment Lucas’s has concluded the Master’s Program at Conservatorium van Amsterdam, having as mentor Jasper Blom, Simon Rigter, Ben van Gelder and Dick Oatts.
Lucas had the privilege to receive a few awards and win competitions such as Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation 2016, Jazz Contest Bucharest 2017 with AG Quintet, member of JM World Jazz Orchestra 2019, Keep an Eye Records 2020 and Downbeat Magazine Student Award 2021.
Among some groups that Lucas could join in Netherlands, he had the opportunity to play with the Dutch Concert Big Band, Jazz Orchestra of Concertgebouw, Four Tops and Temptations and the Metropole Orkest.
With CvA Big Band he had the opportunity to play with big names such as Jasper Blom, Simon Rigter, Ferdnand Povel, David Linx, Dennis Mackrell and Alex Sipiagin.
Since September 2018, Lucas’s a regular member of Millenium Jazz Orchestra, regular replacement for the Peter Beets & Henk Meutgeerd New Jazz Orchestra and New Cool Collective Big Band with Benjamim Herman.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBAmKhG4zKODwfH86t-e8A
Nathalie Schaap made a great impression on her final exam at the Conservatory.
Her virtuous combination of singing and playing the double bass did not stay unnoticed for long.
Nathalie won several prizes, during the Christina Jazz Concours, de ‘Vriendenprijs’ from Artez Conservatory, a finalist place at the Conservatory Talent Award during Jazz in Duketown.
Nathalie is actively working on her own projects, Cousin Hatfield, and the Medan Trio. Next to her own projects, she work(ed)s with Douwe Bob, Bertolf, Tangarine, and many more.
Website: https://nathalieschaap.com
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h83cIQUmvcA&feature=emb_logo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.schaap.94
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nathalieschaap/
Saskia Laroo was hailed by American public and press at large as “Lady Miles of Europe”. She is one of the few women trumpet stylists and a delight on the music scene for almost four decades. Born in Amsterdam, it began for her on trumpet at age 8, never dreaming herself becoming a professional musician. That all changed when Saskia, turned 18, after briefly majoring in Mathematics at University of Amsterdam switched her focus to a career in music. She worked extensively in various groups from this point, primarily on upright bass, though eventually, on both bass and trumpet. Saskia Laroo combines today’s music by uncontrived romps into new styles, eagerly limned as “nu jazz” or “swingin’ body-music”–a vivacious blend of hip-hop, jazz, salsa, funk reggae, and world, that a select few others would dare venture. Her artistry and her groove ring vibrantly and free on her eight CD albums, a LP and a DVD, journeying us through all the music she has absorbed, played with heart and soul.
Warren Byrd, born in Hartford, CT, US is an Afro-American pianist, composer, vocalist, percussionist with a recent jazz album ‘Truth Raised Twice’, an international touring career performing with his own groups and with big names such as Archie Shepp, Eddie Henderson, Frank Lacy, Saskia Laroo, Jay Hoggard, Jimmy Green, Hans Dulfer. He also performs and composes pop, latin, blues, dance music.
When the Beets name rings anywhere in the world, a jazz lover somewhere will stand up and listen. Tenor powerhouse Alexander Beets has garnered international acclaim with his explosive sound and undeniable swing over the last few decades, appearing in lineups with greats such as Igor Butman (RU), Deborah Brown (USA), Sylwester Ostrowski (PL) and Koh Mr Saxman (TH).}
Paying tribute to the legends that inspired him throughout the years, his latest release Big Sounds features original compositions as well as long-time favorites by Stanley Turrentine and Cole Porter, among others. Sporting a lineup of latest and greatest musicians, he is joined by Miles Davis Institute-acknowledged trumpeter Ellister van der Molen, Beets brother Marius on bass, no less than two Dutch drum prodigies in the form of Sven Rozier and Tim Hennekes and, finally, renowned jazz-meets-classical Sebastiaan van Bavel and Spanish powerhouse Miguel Rodriguez on piano.
Aside from his own quintet, Beets also works with Saskia Laroo International Band, New York Round Midnight Orchestra and the Sound of Siam Band. Citing Stanley Turrentine and Hank Mobley as two of his prime influences, Beets continues to charm audiences all over the world with a perfect blend of swing and ballads: a prime cocktail of contemporary tenor jazz.
Koh has been the familiar name to thai audiences and thai musicians for almost 20 years as a saxophone artist who has done many recording works for many artists, as well as his own studio albums. Koh was born in 1973, and graduated from Chulalongkorn University in Music Education (1991-1994), even though he had chosen Accounting as the first major for his education before changing to music field. Mr.Kawinwut Klanpaithoon, Koh’s high school teacher who changed his life and gave good opportunities as well as advices to lead him to a professional musician. Koh became a professional musician since he was 15 with his good skill of saxophone. He started performing saxophone at hotels, restaurants and pubs in Thailand, then formed a band called “Boy Thai” and had the first Thai-Jazz Mix Studio album with Aumporn Jakkapark’s supports. Koh had been invited for performing with many Thai famous bands such as the Jazz Infinity, T-Bone before forming his own band and then released his solo album called “Mr.Saxman”in 2002. Koh’s first solo album called “Mr.Saxman” (2002) attached with the biggest music label in Thailand, “GMM Grammy (Giraffe Records)”. Koh’s first solo album was supported by many good musicians and producers such as Dee Niiphong Honark, Chai Somchai Khamlertsakul and Seefa. Later, he had more albums, the second “Sax Appeal” (2003) and the third “Sax is all around” (2006) with GMM Grammy. Koh also had the jazz album with Jeremy Monteiro, International Trio Recording in L.A. (USA) called “The Other Side of Koh” (2004) and the jazz album with his friends Soh ETC and Duck Infinity called “The Jazz Brothers” (2005). In 2008, Koh played a role of businessperson by owning the first Jazz Music Company in Thailand called “Mellow Tone Records”. He worked together with his good producer Nueng Natthawut (Mr.Drummer) who also produced “The Sound of Saxman” album as the first album on behalf of “Mellow Tone Records”. The album was full with quality and best musicians around the world such as Darren Rahn, Mel Brown, Frank Selman and was recorded at Denver, USA. In 2010, Koh was back with his new company label called “Chillin’ Groove Records” (CGR) and his 6th studio album “Happy Moment”. He once again puts himself as the director role player of the music label and purposes to release chilling music to his target audiences who have been waiting for hearing his beautiful saxophone and new works. This year, the seventh studio album will be produced in various types of music by producers and artists who were requested by Koh to create varieties to music and it will be released by February 2012. Sepia, Mariam B5, Chai Somchai Khamlertsakul, Darren Rahn (American producer), Nueng Natthawut Phunsaichur (Mr.Drummer), Thanate Petchsuwan, Soh ETC, and Krijjazz (Monotone Group) are the names of producers and artists who made this album full with excitement and beautiful music. More over, here are the lists of big stages that Koh Mr.Saxman had previously performed and been requested to be the guest for the shows. – Tribute to Rewat Buddinant – Seefah Deepblue Concert – Bangkok Music Festival – Hua-Hin Jazz Festival – Bangkok International Jazz Festival – Satoru Shionoya Group Jazz Concert (Bangkok) – Asian Art Festival (Singapore) – Penang Jazz Festival (Malaysia) – KL Jazz Festival (Malaysia) – Jazz Festival in Sarawak (Malaysia) – Sanya Jazz concert (Japan) – Thai Festival (Japan) – Unit Asia Band SouthEast Asia Tour 2008, (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, Japan) – Thai @Trafalgar Square 2008, (UK) – Unit Asia Band Japan Tour 2009, (Japan) – Rhythm Meeting Band World Tour 2009, (India, Switzerland) Festival (China) – J-Asian pop – Asian Submit 2009 – Taste of Thailand 2009, (UK) – 15th World Saxophone Congress July 7-12 2009, (Thailand) – Koh Mr.Saxman Live in Bangkok 2010, (Thailand) – Amersfoort International Jazz festival 2011, (Netherland) – Asean Music in Gwangju 2011, (Korea) – Bravo ASEAN 2011, (Korea) – The Visitor Concert 2012 (Thailand) – “Unit Asia” Southeast Asia Tour 2012 (Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines) – Summit Closing Social “Let’s LEAP into the World” 2012 (Sands Convention Center, Singapore) – “Gitasiravadha…A tout jamais” au musee du quai Branly, Paris – Miri International Jazz Festival “Borneo Jazz 2012” Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia For the past 10 years, Koh Mr.Saxman has recorded his beautiful sound of saxophone for many Thai famous artists such as Bird Thongchai Mcintyre, Nunthida Kaewbuasai, Maleewan Jamina, Jennifer Kim, Loso, Bodyslam, Wiyada Komarakul, etc. Koh Mr.Saxman is also international wel-known as Thai saxophone artist, one of the members of Unit Asia, a jazz band that contains of a Thai, Japanese, Malaysian members and shows off Asian jazz band to the world. Awards that Koh Mr.Saxman received previously. 1990 : Coke Music Award : The Best Musician 1991 : Nescafe’ Music Festival : The Best Band 1992 : Yamaha Thailand Band Explosion : The Best Band 1993 : The Best Saxophone : Thai Music Association 2002 : The Best Instrumental Record of the year “Rush hour” album Mr.Saxman : Seeson Award Koh Mr.Saxman had been invited to give a lecture and tell his music experience to students of many reputed universities such as Mahidol University, Kasetsart University and Rangsit University. Koh is a founder of Saxophone Community in Thailand as well as 2 branches of saxophone school called “Sax Society” (www.saxsociety.com) and is also endorser of P.Mauriat Saxophones (www.pmauriatmusic.com) “Yes! Music will keep us alive…” Koh Mr.Saxman
Playing music became a pure necessity for Marius at the age of ten. At that time his musical career started with playing the bass in various local pop- and rock bands.
At home Marius came in touch with jazz music. His father had a big collection of the best jazz records and his younger brother Peter developed himself as a true jazz freak. Marius’ continued to explore these jazz influences and started studying double bass at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague.
From that moment on his career set off with great force. Marius became part of young jazz bands such as the Houdini’s, the Hoogendijk/Van den Dungen quintet and the Beets Brothers. With these bands Marius performed on the most important jazz venues in the Netherlands and toured in the United States of America, Australia, Thailand and Russia.
Beets struck the attention of, and got much loved by, established Dutch jazz artists such as Rita Reys, Rein de Graaff en Piet Noordijk. The strong beat and forward motion in his playing fits seamlessly with the sound of the esteemed older jazz generation.
In 1999 Marius gave a new boost to the Rein de Graaff trio and set for several European tours with jazz legends as Johhny Griffin, James Moody, Bud Shank, Gary Bartz and Ronnie Cuber.
Marius has an impressive discography with over a hundred recordings. Featured artists are a.o.: Herb Geller, Jeff Hamilton, Deborah Brown, Rita Reys, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Peter Beets, Houston Person, Ronnie Cuber and Dave Liebman.
Beets is a well know guest at large Dutch orchestras such as the Metropole Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Schoenberg Ensemble, Skymasters and the Jazzorchestra of the Concertgebouw.
“Sven Rozier is a Drummer, Educator and composer. Born in Chun Chun City, South Korea, Sven discovered at a very early age that drumming was his passion. Later on he graduated from the Conservatory in Rotterdam, specialising in Jazz Music. Through out his career, Sven played all over the world with big artists at several big festivals.
Some names he played with:
Saskia Laroo, Alexander Beets, Rolf Delfos, Eric Vloeimans, Lou Guldemond, Scott Hamilton.Also Sven is a organizer and is festival director of ”Around The City” and Jazzclub Leiden and head of Marketing and Communication of the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival.
”Sven is a great player who really understands the tradition of jazz music. He can swing, play a great shuffle but also play a ballad the way it was written. Apart from that he is a great guy to be with on tour. ” Alexander ‘The Hurricane’ Beets
