Rembrandt Frerichs & Jasper Staps Quarter

Musical story

For saxophonist Jasper Staps and pianist Rembrandt Frerichs, jazz is about beauty and telling a musical story. After 25 years of friendship, they finally joined forces for their first joint album, 'The First at Last'. Partly by carefully selecting their instruments, they approximate the intimate sound of vintage jazz from the fifties and sixties, including a historic piano from 1903 by the French instrument builder Erard. A nod to the classical chamber music and jazz Frerichs and Staps listened to in their youth. At the same time, the group sounds contemporary, partly thanks to young dogs Matheus Nicolaiewsky on double bass and Mitchell Damen on drums.

In addition to his compositions, the album includes songs by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern, among others, but also 'Time and Again', an instrumental version of 'Telkens weather' by Willeke Alberti. 'They must have a warmth, a strong melody, and have room for a musical conversation,' says Jasper Staps about the songs. He sees himself as a real melody player who likes to take the listener into his story. Frerichs is known for his experimental spirit and is always looking for a new sound. They met at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. While Staps built his career as an arranger, conductor and sideman in jazz orchestras, Frerichs performed worldwide in very different genres.