ICP Orchestra

About ICP Orchestra

The ICP Orchestra, a household name for years. In 1967, Han Bennink and pianist/composer Misha Mengelberg founded this versatile orchestra, which is now known as one of the most creative groups in modern jazz. Mengelberg passed away in 2017, but his compositions are kept alive by the otherwise almost fixed line-up. The starting point is Mengelberg's oeuvre, but apart from that no two ICP concerts sound the same. The musicians in the ICP Orchestra learned to deal with the peculiarities of timing or intonation of fellow players, how to confuse their colleagues, how to bend or undermine the music during the performance. The music is full of surprises, unexpected twists, supple grace and strange outbursts.

“…The Instant Composers Pool Orchestra, from Amsterdam, ….they are scholars and physical comedians, critics and joy-spreaders.” –The New York Times