LOUIS ARMSTRONG CELEBRATION BAND
Trumpeter and vocalist Michael Varekamp graduated with honors from the Royal Conservatory and has since traveled the world performing and collaborating with renowned artists. He was a member of the Dutch Swing College Band and worked with musicians such as Scott Hamilton, Louis van Dijk, and Branford Marsalis. His talent is widely recognized, both in Europe and abroad.
Michael received the prestigious Kobe Award in Japan and has performed at iconic venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center and Birdland in New York. During his international tours, he frequently gives masterclasses. He is currently playing to full theaters with The Legends and offers online lectures for organizations such as the Israeli jazz collective Shamayim.
Harry Kanters is a virtuoso pianist who shines in multiple styles of traditional jazz. His specialties include Ragtime, New Orleans, Stride, Swing and Early Bebop. With his extensive repertoire, Harry is a sought‑after pianist in ‘All Star’ line‑ups and a beloved guest soloist with many bands. He is internationally recognized and also organizes concerts featuring renowned musicians from around the world.
Harry was a member of the well‑known JoJo Swing Band as well as the popular Swing Cats. He can be heard on more than sixty LPs and CDs and has performed in jazz clubs and at festivals from Breda to New Orleans and all the way to Tasmania. Throughout his career, he has played with artists such as Scott Hamilton, Leroy Jones, Lillian Boutté and Tom Baker.
Peter Verhas, born and raised in Dendermonde (Belgium), received a classical training on clarinet, flute and piano, and later taught himself the saxophone. At the age of twenty he began his jazz career with the Lazy City Jazzband. He later joined The Jeggpap Jazzband, which he led for many years and transformed into a powerful, swinging ensemble.
Throughout his career, Peter has performed with numerous national and international jazz greats, including Patrick Artero, Freddy Sunder, Ivan Paduart, Gino Latucca, Tars Lootens, Leroy Jones and Dana Gillespie. He is a familiar presence on Belgian jazz stages and is equally at home in traditional jazz and swing.
Harry Emmery began studying classical double bass at the Rotterdam Conservatory at the age of twelve. In the 1970s he performed with various pop groups before specializing in jazz, becoming a highly sought-after studio musician. For seven years he served as both electric bassist and double bassist with the Metropole Orchestra under Rogier van Otterloo. His playing can be heard on more than one hundred jazz recordings.
Emmery has performed at festivals in the United States, Canada, Lapland, Germany, Indonesia and most European countries. He appeared at 29 editions of the North Sea Jazz Festival, giving a total of 84 concerts. He has shared the stage and recorded with an impressive roster of artists, including Ben van den Dungen/Jarmo Hoogendijk 5, Olivia Newton-John, Duke Jordan, Louis van Dijk, Blossom Dearie, Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Mark Murphy, Archie Shepp, Eddie Daniels, Candy Dulfer, Mel Lewis, Johnny Griffin, Anne Burton, Dorothy Donegan, Roy Hargrove, Marian McPartland, Frank Foster, Al Grey, Bob Brookmeyer and Wynton Marsalis.
Erik Kooger born and raised in Alkmaar, began playing drums at the age of eleven and performed professionally for the first time at fifteen. After studying at the Conservatory of The Hague, he collaborated extensively with pianist Michiel Borstlap, touring with his band as well as with singer Gino Vannelli. He also worked frequently with guitarist Jerôme Hol.
Erik was a member of CRY BABY!, led by Dick de Graaf, and from 2012 to 2017 he was the drummer for De Deeldeliers, the group featuring Jules Deelder and Bas van Lier. Throughout his career he has performed with artists such as Teddy Edwards, Christian Pabst, Ack van Rooyen, Deborah Carter, Don Braden, Hans Dulfer and Edwin Rutten.
What a Wonderful World!
Photos Roland Kämpfer (CH)