Ben van Gelder

High-profile saxophone player

Ben van Gelder (1988) is regarded internationally as an authority on the alto saxophone. Peers and critics alike praise him for his unique sound, lyricism and personal approach to composition. His music is firmly rooted in jazz tradition but embraces many other musical genres and disciplines. Visual art in particular plays a prominent role in his musical practice, and often serves as a framework for his writing. Van Gelder moved to New York when he was seventeen and spent a decade collaborating and studying with some of the most progressive artists in the world. His teachers included Guillermo Klein, Jason Moran and Lee Konitz. He formed a quintet of forward thinking peers (Sam Harris, Craig Weinrib, Rick Rosato and Peter Schlamb) and recorded three albums under his name. The ensemble toured extensively in Europe, Japan and the U.S. Regular performances have allowed him to experiment with different groups and repertoire throughout the years. Most recently, Ben van Gelder was commissioned by the BIMHUIS in Amsterdam for their first ever composition assignment. Besides leading his own quartet, Van Gelder frequently performs with guitarist Reinier Baas.