About Willem Breuker
Willem Breuker (1944-2010) was the founder of the Willem Breuker Kollektief. He was a composer, saxophonist and clarinetist in this orchestra that travelled the world for 35 years. He was also the founder of the record company BV Haast, a label for all kinds of music that Breuker took seriously but for which commercial labels showed no interest. For decades he organised the Klap op de Vuurpijl, the annual festival for jazz, improvised and newly composed music. The biennial Willem Breuker Prize is intended for someone in whose work characteristic features of the work of Willem Breuker emerge. This time the prize is awarded to saxophonist, composer, arranger and Kika Sprangers.
From the jury report
With her own lyrical sound, saxophonist Kika Sprangers conquers many hearts. Her intense love for music and fellow musicians bursts from the stage. With a completely unique approach, she develops projects in which no collaboration is taken for granted. Kika Sprangers always seeks and creates unexpected encounters: with choirs, orchestras, string quartets, big bands. Every line-up, every genre, every art form inspires her to find and deepen her own language. Quality always comes first and her connecting role, in front of and behind the scenes, ensures a coherent whole in every line-up. Her mission to give more women a stage in the jazz scene stands out and is of essential importance for the emancipation of the jazz scene. Her working method can be described as: no talking, just cleaning, to quote Willem Breuker. She follows her own path and always makes her own wise choices.
Additional price
On November 4, 2024, Willem Breuker would have turned 80. The board of the Willem Breuker Foundation has decided to award an additional prize on Willem's birthday.
This award goes to violinist Heleen Hulst and pianist Gerard Bouwhuis for their decades of tireless commitment to contemporary music, as excellent performers, as initiators and organizers of various music (theatre) projects and as strong advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Opening of the Willem Breuker Bridge
On January 10, 2024, the Municipality of Amsterdam officially recognized the name Willem Breukerbrug (the footbridge to our hall and the Muziekgebouw). On November 4, the bridge will be opened in a musical way.
