Meant for You (2)
Album release Gerlo Hesselink Quartet & Florieke de Geus
This new album is a follow-up to “Meant For You”, which was released 2 years ago. “Meant for you” was a tribute to son Jan Hesselink, who died 7 years ago, where we selected and composed compositions that had to do with his life and death.
Meant For You 2 is based on texts/poems by Esther Hesselink (mother of Jan), in which the life after his death is central. The texts are used as inspiration for new compositions by Florieke de Geus, Henri Gerrits and Gerlo Hesselink. The music is lyrical but at the same time exciting and lively..
The album is (to be) recorded in the Fattoria Musica studio in Osnabrück on July 8 and 9 2024.
Gerlo Hesselink (alto and soprano saxophone, bass clarinet en alto flute),
Florieke de Geus (vocals),
Dirk Balthaus (piano),
Johan Plomp (bass),
Joost Kesselaar (drums)
Due to his extensive big band experience, Gerlo is much in demand as a substitute in various orchestras throughout the Netherlands, including the Metropole Orchestra. In addition to saxophone, he also plays flute and clarinet. In the meantime, he has accompanied many internationally known artists such as Toots Thielemans, Benny Golson, Randy Brecker and Deborah Brown.
Florieke studied in Rotterdam and Berlin, and currently in Paris. She reflects the European jazz sound through her compositions, poems and arrangements. She has studied with great musicians such as Izaline Calister, Ilja Reijngoud and Riccardo del Fra.
Pianist Dirk Balthaus studied jazz piano at the conservatory in Hilversum. His teachers were Frans Elsen, Henk Elkerbout and Rob Madna. Further musical development followed through performances in jazz clubs, festivals and theaters.
Johan Plomp studied double bass and composition/arranging at the Conservatory in Hilversum (Netherlands). As a bassist and composer, his name can be found on many CDs with artists such as Wim Overgaauw, Buddies in Soul (Cees Slinger), Loet van der Lee and Fleurine. Johan is the conductor of the Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra.
Drummer Joost Kesselaar has performed/recorded with a wide range of artists such as Kenny Wheeler, Benny Nailey, Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Cedar Walton, Clazz Ensemble, Gerard Kleijn Group, Charlie Mariano, Markus Stockhausen etc. He has been accompanied by legendary drummers such as Idris Mohammed, Joe Chambers, Andrew Cyrille and Jeff Hamilton.
Photo: Arjan Stam (Taste Of Jazz)