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

BENJAMIN HERMAN "LIVE"

Benjamin Herman got his first saxophone at the age of twelve. At thirteen he was already playing on the professional club circuit. Within a few years he was appearing with different groups around the world and initiating projects of his own. His fame spread beyond jazz circles in the 1990s when he formed the groundbreaking ensemble New Cool Collective. Having made a name as soloist while still a teenager, Benjamin Herman has appeared on over a hundred records with all kinds of artists, from Candy Dulfer to Misha Mengelberg. Herman has also built a career in Holland and abroad as a composer. With New Cool Collective as well as with his smaller band’s  his gigs are inspired by dance floor jazz, surf and punk music, free jazz and traditional music from all over the world, attracting music fans of all genres as well as straight ahead jazz aficionados. At the same time he has explored in depth the repertoire of composers such a Byard, Monk and Mengelberg.Today Benjamin Herman is one of the most original and productive jazz musicians in the Netherlands exploring influences beyond the confines of the jazz world. After signing to DOX Records in 2005 Benjamin Herman produced a series of cd’s and vinyl’s. He also won his third Edison for the album ‘Campert’ (featuring Dutch poet Remco Campert), He recorded and toured with Paul Weller, programmed several festivals, toured in Brazil, Argentina, Kenya, Russia, Britain, Canada, England, Ireland and Japan and worked on numerous projects in the Netherlands. In 2006 he received the prestigious VPRO/Boy Edgar Award and was voted ‘Best Dressed Dutchman of 2008′ by Esquire magazine. BENJAMIN HERMAN