BENJAMIN HERMAN "TROUBLE"

Benjamin Herman (alto saxophone, C-melody saxophone, flute) began playing saxophone at the age of twelve, and was soon active on the professional club circuit. By the time he received the Wessel Ilcken Prize at 21, he had already performed all over the world.In 1991, the year he graduated with honours at Hilversum Conservatory, Herman was the only European selected for the Thelonious Monk Competition. Other candidates included Joshua Redman, Chris Potter and Eric Alexander.Back from studying with Dick Oatts at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, Benjamin Herman soon began initiating his own projects, including the pioneering New Cool Collective ensemble.As one of Holland’s most productive and prominent jazz musicians, Benjamin Herman is a much sought-after soloist. He has played and recorded with Rein de Graaf, Fra Fra Big Band, Michiel Borstlap, Candy Dulfer, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, Misha Mengelberg, Paul Weller and Georgie Fame.He has also made a name as a composer at home and abroad.Herman plays numerous concerts each year with New Cool Collective and his quartet (Benjamin Herman: alto sax, Jesse van Ruller: guitar, Carlo de Wijs: Hammond organ, Martijn Vink: drums) strongly inspired by popular dance-floor jazz. New Cool Collective and the New Cool Collective Big Band often perform at international pop venues and festivals, resulting in a following far beyond the normal jazz concert crowd. BENJAMIN HERMAN