International Jazz Banjo Newsletter

The third anual Dutch Jazz Banjo Rally held late November attracted a 100+ crowd and was a great success. The afternoon both started and ended with a session of an hour, as previous years showed most visitors enjoy playing together most of all. This year nearly everybody took their instruments out of their cases, which ofcourse we fully encourage. We had about 30 banjo players both on and off stage, accompanied by washboard, piano and trumpet. Halfway through the official program we added another session, as requested by most visitors.
After the first session the Grand Concert got started with the Vellum Stompers, starring Rally-organisers Hans de Roon on kazoo and uke-banjo, and myself on uke-banjo and plectrumbanjo. "I know whom this next song is about," I joked when I announed Who’s Sorry Now – it was my stage debut on plectrumbanjo. Another debut: Jo Vroomen on washboard, who did very well indeed, just like Ben Clais (clarinet) and Gerlof Abels (tuba).
Next up were two previously unknown (at least to us) Dutch tenorbanjo players, who were the surprise of the afternoon. Hans de Roon suggested the name The Two Tenors for their act, and Hein Overbeek and Anne van der Wal thought it was funny and agreed. They played great arrangements, taking turns on solo’s. Very good! Thanks!
After this tenorbanjo terror the stage was wiped clean for a couple of plectrumbanjo’s and a truckload of ukuleles. In case you’re interested: B&D Silver Bell #1 & #6, The Gibson UB-2, Martin Style 0 ukulele and a Beltona reso-uke. The lucky owners were Stuip & Co, a.k.a. Tom Stuip and I. The idea to do some duets arose at the first Rally, and finally did we put together two sets. "The CD will be better," Tom joked after a poor start (at least from my point of view). Tom, thanks a lot again for your attendance and performance!
German banjo player Achim Hippenstiel joined us for our second set, and I must admit I was proud to be on stage with two great musicians like them!
The Dutch Banjo Rally would like to thank all performers, visitors as well as jazzclub Langs de Lijn in Bussum for supporting the banjo in the Netherlands. We’ll be back! Check this newsletter (thanks Sean!) or our website for information on next year’s event.
http://www.jazzbanjo.nl/
Remco HJ
Fetze Pijlman
Hans de Roon