guillaume marcenac invites jurjen donkers

About Jurjen Donkers

“What a beautiful voice you have”, Rita Reys responded after hearing Jurjen Donkers sing. She and other legendary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, such as Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra, would set the standard for his own singing. It is characterized by both a heartfelt interpretation of the lyrics as well as a great sense of timing. Or as pianist Peter Beets said recently: “This guy swings!”. The late bass player and record producer Ruud Jacobs commented: “He is a real talent.”

Jurjen Donkers got into the world of jazz music at the age of 14 when he met Europe’s First Lady of Jazz Rita Reys, who’s personal assistent he was from 2004 till her passing in 2013. Through her he was introduced into the Dutch jazz scene. In recent years he shared the stage with well known artists and musicians such as Ruud Jacobs, Eric Ineke, Marjorie Barnes, Peter Beets, and Lex Jasper. He regularly performs with Robert Koemans, Vincent Koning, Cas Jiskoot and Francesca Tandoi, and recently sang as a guest soloist with the West Coast Big Band and the Harbour Jazz Band.
 Besides his own projects Donkers has through the years been involved in organizing several events, such as Greetje Kauffeld’s 60 Years On Stage tour, Eric Ineke’s 70th birthday concert, a tribute concert for Rita Reys at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in 2016, and the celebration of Ack van Rooyen’s 90th birthday in 2020. In 2018 he was one of the producers of Rita Reys Collected, a 3CD released worldwide by Universal Music.

About Gerardo Rosales
Gerardo Rosales was born in Caracas, Venezuela on July 6, 1964 and is a professional percussion player since 1982.
 
Starting as a young musician he was already the percussionist of important musical artist in Venuzuela like:
Café Orchestra, Orlando Poleo, José Rosario, Canelita, Soledad Bravo, Adrenalina Caribe, Ilan Chester, Cecilia Todd, Victor Cuica, Alberto Naranjo, El Trabuco Venezolano, Joe Ruiz, Tabaco, Los Satelites, Nancy Ramos, Wilmer Lozano, Watussi, Trina Medina and many more.
He lived in the Netherlands, since 1993, a country that has served as the base to spread his music around the world.
 
Gerardo Rosales recorded 21 albums under his name, and more than 70 albums with other artists.
His specialty is creating musical projects in Salsa styles and Latin jazz. Some of his projects are: El Combo Mundial, Venezuelan Masters, Charanga La Crisis, Our Latin Groove, La Gran Charanga, Son del Sofa, Ritmico & Pianistico, Cachao Sounds and Tributo al Mango.
 
In Europe he performed with:
 
The Rosenberg Trio, Saskia Laroo, Hans Dulfer, Benjamin Herman, Peter Beets, Tango Extremo, Drums United, Nueva Manteca, New Cool Collective, Fra Fra Sound, Denise Jannah, Laura Fygi, Izaline Calister, Metropole Orchestra, Holland Big Band, Lucas van Merwijk & Cubop City Big Band, Lilian Vieira and Maite Hontelé.
 
Gerardo Rosales has accompanied on tours, recordings and performances in Europe artists such as:
 
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Benny Bailey, Paquito D Rivera, Bebo Valdés, Toots Thielemans, Jimmy Bosch, Juan Pablo Torres, Herman Olivera, Oscar D’León, José Alberto “El Canario”, Andy Montañéz, Meñique, Edy Martínez, Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Conexión Latina, Orlando Valle “Maraca”, Alfredo Rodríguez, Armando Peraza, Luisito Quintero, Robert Quintero, Ramón Valle, Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago, Frankie Vázquez, Oscar Hernandez, Africando, Chamaco Rivera, Luisito Carrion, Jorge Herrera, Edgar Dolor, Dorance Lorza, Ajo Porro, Luisito Rosario, David Cada and Tito Allen.
About Yussif Barakat
 
Currently living in The Hague where he actively participates as a bassist in the fields of classical music, early music and jazz. In 2019 he received his double Master of Music degrees in double bass and violone from the Royal Conservatoire. Yussif performed with the Netherlands Bach Society, Musica Temprana, Musica in Scena, Ensemble Odyssee, and the Orchestra of the 18th Century among others. He got awarded first prize for historically informed solo on the Viennese Bass days held in Amsterdam 2019.
About Jasper Hilgerink
 
Very subtle and versatile drummer, who recorded for the label zennez records, and played with many great musicians.