Host Marcel Schot and Conservatorium van Amsterdam trumpet ensemble

75 years in business is quite an achievement in any endeavour and it was a fitting tribute that many of Holland's trumpeters gathered for the 2003 Netherlands Trumpet Party to celebrate the Atelier Pfeiffer's anniversary on 18 May.

The Atelier Pfeiffer specialises in brass and woodwind instrument repair and is located in Rijswijk, close to The Hague. Started in 1928 by Josef Pfeiffer and continued by Ruud Pfeiffer, the store has provided initiative and assistance to hundreds of musicians. Since Ruud's retirement in 1999, the tradition of service has been enthusiastically continued by Marcel Schot and his colleague Dennis van der Kamp.

Marcel has a web site dedicated to "Brass in the Movies" and together with trumpet player Loet van der Lee he brought Malcolm McNab to Holland in 2000. He also organised a Trumpet Day last year (as Holland's distributor for Calicchio trumpets, to celebrate their 75th anniversary) so it was from that basis that the idea of a Trumpet Party this year came about.

Holland has world class trumpeters and the success of the day pivoted on the willingness of players to donate their time and to display their skills. Despite a few notable absences due to sickness, conflicting activities and programming constraints the best of Holland were there in a rip-roaring feast of trumpet gloriana.

You might be mistaken in thinking Marcel is a trumpet player. Not so. He plays trombone and it was his local amateur big band, Bollenstreek, led by Adri van Velsen, that provided the backing to most of the performances.

The program began with a trumpet octet from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam playing Night in Tunisia and Here's that rainy day. The students performed brilliantly and the Tunisia arrangement by Eric Veldkamp was particularly impressive. Two of the students, Rik Mol and Martijn de Laat, then stayed on stage to perform Jumping at the Woodside with the big band. These two young students are already exceptional soloists.

Lover - L to R: Mike Booth, Ruud Breuls, Jan Oosthof, Wim Both, Jan Wessels, David Rockefeller, Rini Swinkels; not in photo: Jan Hollander

The name Ack van Rooyen may be familiar to many ITG members and he was next on the program with his own composition Autumn Bugel. Ack is deservedly considered Holland's "Grand Master" of jazz trumpet and it was an impeccable performance with a beautiful flugelhorn sound and soulful interpretation. Next up was an uptempo version of Lover for 8 trumpets and rhythm, featuring a dream team of Holland's professionals. Arranged for two groups of 4 trumpets this was a sight reading feast with Jan Oosthof, Wim Both, Jan Hollander, Rini Swinkels and solos from Ruud Breuls, Mike Booth, David Rockefeller and Jan Wessels. The big band rhythm section did well to stay with the suicidal tempo and the audience appreciated the fiery impact of the ensemble.

Jarmo Hoogendijk was next up featuring with the Big Band on Whisper Not. He's held in the highest regard by all of Holland's jazz fraternity and it was disappointing that he was only given one solo chorus. He barely had time to warm up! Number 6 on the program saw a return of Martijn de Laat and Rik Mol together with Kees Kamphuis and Rob van Wouw on Trumpet Blues and Cantabile. The audience were again impressed with the capability of these young trumpeters - all students. Jan van Duikeren and David Rockefeller featured next in a trumpet battle on Brotherhood of Men. Often playing together in sections - most notably the currently popular New Cool Collective from Amsterdam - these two young professionals strutted their solo chops to the delight of all. They stayed on stage and were joined by Wim Both, Ray Bruinsma and Jan Wessels on a cracking version of All Brothers. Enthusiastic trumpet fans are always a danger at these events and whilst normally a fun diversion from performing it was rather irritating that a persistent well-wisher caused me to miss the last two performances before the pause!

The second round began with another student group. Holland has half a dozen international conservatories and from the Maastricht Conservatory in the south students performed The Big Dipper together with the Big Band. The Metropole Orchestra is Holland's last remaining Radio Orchestra and boasts some of our finest musicians. The trumpet section from the Orchestra is no exception to this and Ruud Breuls has the jazz chair. He played All my tomorrows, receiving well deserved applause. My Favorite Things featuring Marcel Reys and Kees Kamphuis followed and was my favorite performance of the day, with a really tasty solo and a great arrangement.

Number 13 on the program was Jan Wessels. Jan is not only a good trumpeter but also a great arranger. His version of I'll be seeing you was very sensitive and moving. No trumpet party would be complete without a nod in Maynard's direction and the audience were visibly excited by the opening bars of Gonna Fly Now. Normally the lead chair on Holland's Glenn Miller Orchestra, Erik Veldkamp stepped up as a late replacer to seek adventure on the high C's. It was never in doubt! Erik is a great young musician not only in performance but composing and arranging (his Night In Tunisia was first on the program) and has also written teaching materials. The improvised solo was played from the back of the big band by Ray Bruinsma, another very capable young trumpeter. He not only nailed the solo in this number but provided expert lead over the day when needed.

Mike Booth's solo in Evergreen

As I was preparing for my performance I also missed the Ensemble from Conservatorium Rotterdam led by Professor Andre Heuvelman (also principal trumpet in the Rotterdam Philharmonic). It was my turn next and I had chosen to play Evergreen. It was my tribute to mentor and friend Bobby Shew. As with countless other trumpeters Bobby opened the jazz door for me and has remained a constant inspiration. Mind you, I've been tripping over the jazz door step ever since! Thanks again Bobby, the chart went down a treat. Next up we were confronted by the complete Metropole orchestra trumpet section on All or Nothing at All. Nearly at the end of the programme this section revitalised the big band and lifted the sound to a new level. It was awesome! Last up was a worthy tribute to a more Dixieland style from Ellister van de Molen and Michael Varekamp on Sweet Georgia Brown.

Judging from the audience response we'll be doing it again next year! ... and guess what they wanted to hear as an encore. You guessed it. Gonna Fly Now. Eric thought he was off the hook for the day but once again he delivered from the heavens!

The good news is that there are lots more good trumpeters in Holland. So we could have a whole new program next time!

Congratulations to Atelier Pfeiffer for the last 75 years and all the best for the next 75.

Websites:
Netherlands Trumpet Party (in Dutch and English)
Atelier Pfeiffer (in Dutch)