Jorrit Dijkstra

The music of saxophonist and composer Jorrit Dijkstra (Eindhoven, Netherlands, 1966) draws from the jazz tradition in spirit and sound; but has crossed stylistic and cultural borders in order to express a strong, evolving personal vision. He spent his formative years in Amsterdam's vibrant improvisation community playing jazz, free improvisation, and world music. Since moving to the United States in 2002, Dijkstra has deepened his affinity with the experimental forces of American music, while staying in touch with his Dutch musical roots. His recent projects include his quartet BOLT, The Porch Trio, and the large ensemble Bathysphere in Boston, his Music for Reeds and Electronics, his Solo project with electronics, and The Whammies play the Music of Steve Lacy. Dijkstra uses the Lyricon - a vintage electronic wind instrument from the 1970's - to extend his musical palette into an idiosyncratic mix of cool jazz, free improvisation, and electronic minimalism. As a composer he has received commissions from the North Sea Jazz Festival, the David Kweksilber Big Band, Tetzepi Big Band, Amstel Saxophone Quartet, and The Harvard Jazz Band. Dijkstra has released eighteen CDs as a leader, and has participated in projects ranging from Anthony Braxton's Ghost Trance and Guus Janssen's opera Noach to a rare live performance of Texas outsider musician Jandek. He is a co-founder of the independent record label Driff Records, and an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music.