humble heroes | michael varekamp | narrative

Locatie: Exalto
Datum: 08/01/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpFwLtoJJycSession with Dutch trumpeter, singer, composer, radio producer, theater producer and bandleader Michael Varekamp.

Michael Varekamp began playing trumpet when he was ten years old. His love for jazz was really born when he found a Louis Armstrong album in his father’s record cabinet at the age of twelve. In 1997, he graduated cum laude from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Ack van Rooijen, Jarmo Hoogendijk and Beatrijs Korevaar. 

In the following years, Michael receives a scholarship and spends some time studying in New York where he becomes the first European musician to perform a series of concerts for Jazzmobile, founded by Billie Taylor. Here he performs at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  He plays with Rembrandt Frerichs at the famous jazz club Birdland where the duo CD Sehnsucht is presented.

After this, he toured with bands such as Fra Fra Sounds and The Dutch Swing College Band through Australia, South Africa, Cuba and, of course, Europe, among others. He also works with a range of musicians from different musical directions; Branford Marsalis, Kenny Ball, Scott Hamilton, Louis van Dijk, Pim Jacobs, Ruud Jacobs, Rob van Kreeveld, Ben van den Dungen, Jarmo Hoogendijk, Peter Beets, Frits Landesbergen, Deborah Carter, Lilian Boute, Deborah Brown, Joke Bruys, Eji Hanaoka, Denise Jannah, Bart van Lier, Cor Bakker, Benny Baily, Billy Brooks, Dee Daniels, Eric Vloeimans, Huub Janssen, Shirma Rouse, Kernkoppen, Typhoon, John Engels, Lee Towers, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Philip Harper, Ntjam Rosie, Bas van Lier and Ralph Peterson.

After several years, Varekamp no longer wanted to play only as a “sideman” and set up his own projects. In recent years, Michael has had great success with his productions Miles! and Louis! In 2001, Michael won the Kobe Jazz Award at the Breda Jazz Festival.

We hope you enjoy this session!

Music by

Michael Varekamp – Trompet/Effects

Wiboud Burkens – Keys (Hammond orgel/Fender)

Harry Emmery – Double bass

Erik Kooger – Drums

Recorded on May 15, 2023

humble heroes © is a production of Dutch Performers House at Exalto Studio’s Haarlem

Executive producer: Corine Haitjema

Production: Daniela Solano

Sound: Bart Wagemakers

Video: Pieter Hoogland, Marieke Schoenmakers, Rens Beks