Tijn Wybenga’s Brainteaser Orchestra ft. Pink Oculus, Otis Sandsjö & Theo Ceccaldi

Brainteaser method

The fifth Bimhuis Composition Commission, in the anniversary year, has been awarded to composer-conductor Tijn Wybenga. With his Brainteaser method, bandleader and sound wizard Tijn Wybenga found a way to capture the new jazz generation in music. The New Maker Tijn Wybenga took the space to capture the essence of the Amsterdam jazz scene. The Brainteaser Orchestra (formerly AM.OK) reflects a new generation that transcends pigeonholes. The music is all written using the Brainteaser method: recording live improvisations by band members and guest soloists, cutting out hundreds of samples and then restructuring them in a new way into new compositions. Wybenga is unashamedly playful in this, with the orchestra showing great promise for the future.

'Brainteaser is built up from small, repeated cogs, on which rhythmic, harmonic and melodic layers are laid. Wybenga draws from many sources and creates a convincing and idiosyncratic synthesis. His music changes colour like a kaleidoscope. Although the pieces are tight in their skin, there is also room for improvisation. Altist Yanna Pelser solos singing and playing at the same time, lines of beautiful plaintiveness; saxophonist Kika Sprangers blows very beautifully from a rare relaxation, while clarinetist Frederico Calcagno and guitarist Teis Semey use cubist tones. Beautiful,' according to the Parool. Before the concert there will be an introduction on innovation in music, organised by Vrijdenkersfestival. The introduction starts at 19:30 and admission is free.