(for English: scroll down)

De geboren Utrechter Albert van Veenendaal en de in Zambia geboren Utrechter Michael Baird zijn geen onbekenden voor elkaar. Twee topmusici uit de wereld van de muziekimprovisatie, allebei bekend om hun eigenzinnigheid. Albert maakte deel uit van Michael's groep Sharp Wood en ze speelden beiden in Steven Kamperman's sextet MOT. In het project First Silence, Then Music bundelen ze hun krachten. Hun duo, gebaseerd op Michael Baird's solo project Gongs and Bells and Albert van Veenendaal's solo project op geprepareerde piano Minimal Damage, levert een wonderbaarlijke klankwereld op, van magisch verstild tot onverbiddelijk groovend.

Voor meer informatie kunt u een mail sturen naar: Michael Baird of Albert van Veenendaal

De solo Cd van Michael Baird Gongs & Bells is te bestellen via SWP Records
De solo CD van Albert van Veenendaal Minimal Damage is te bestellen via Evil Rabbit Records

English:

The native Utrechter Albert van Veenendaal and Zambian-born Utrecht resident Michael Baird are no strangers to each other. Two top musicians from the world of improvised music, both known for their idiosyncratic attitude. Albert was a member of Michael's group Sharp Wood and they both played in Steven Kamperman's sextet MOT. In the First Silence, Then Music project the two of them flow together. Their duo, based on Michael Baird's solo project Gongs and Bells and Albert van Veenendaal's solo project for prepared piano Minimal Damage, results in a wondrous world of sounds, from magical quietness to relentless groove.

For more information send an email to: Michael Baird or Albert van Veenendaal

Michael Baird's solo CD Gongs and Bells can be ordered via SWP Records
Albert van Veenendaal's solo CD Minimal Damage can be ordered via Evil Rabbit Records


About Michael & Albert

Albert van Veenendaal (The Netherlands, 1956) toured the Dutch theatres with his own groups, like "Pavlov", his (piano) trio Veenendaal/Kneer/Sun, Spoon3 + 1 Fork (songs, improv & electronica). In 2001 he founded "Travelling Light", a platform for pianists to play together. He won the Dutch Jazz Competition of 2001 with his trio "On the Line" and organized 15 editions of the multidisciplinary festival:The Evening of the Longest/Shortest Night. He composed for and accompanied theatre- and dance companies and functions as teacher and leader of workshops. Van Veenendaal takes part of an ongoing series of literary concerts around well known Dutch writers. He is co-founder of Evil Rabbit Records, a label for contemporary improvised music. His compositional work is supported with a stipend by the Performing Arts Fund – an equivalent of the National Arts Council

Albert van Veenendaal refers to himself as 'pictorial musician' because of the epical and cinematic character of his music. With an open approach and interaction with his fellow musicians he creates musical constructions that are unconventional and intuitive, displaying his unique style that is instantly recognizable. In his project 'Minimal Damage' Van Veenendaal engages in expanding the sound of a grand piano by preparing it accordingly. 



Drummer/composer/producer Michael Baird (Zambia, 1954) has British nationality, first 10 years in Zambia then ‘repatriated’ to England and resident in Holland since he was thirteen.

After years of playing jazz, notably with saxist Gijs Hendriks (NL) and recording with amongst others Slide Hampton (USA), Raul Burnet (CUR), Sonny Grey (USA), Siegfried Kessler (D), Joe Diorio (USA), Stan Tracey (GB), Kenny Wheeler (CAN), he went his own way. Founded own label SWP Records in 1986. Led own group Sharp Wood from 1985-96. Other own groups: sextet Pygmees & Elephants in 1995, octet Utrecht Deep Artment in 1997-99, quintet CapeAbility in 2000, sextet Trendy 3D Junk in 2000-02, solo project Gongs And Bells in 2002-3, sextet African Abstractions in 2004-05, Rhythm Orgy 2008-11, various other projects and composition commissions.

In own groups played and recorded with amongst others: Broer van den Bogaart (NL), Hans Hasebos (NL), Albert Veenendaal (NL), Jogi Gillis (SUR), Michel Massot (B), Michiel Borstlap (NL), Ben Gerritsen (NL), David Tronzo (USA), Vitold Rek (PL), Michael Moore (USA), Michel Godard (F), Mark Lotz (D), Tjitze Vogel (NL), Paul Weiling (D), Konkie Halmeyer (CUR), Kofi Ayivor (GHA), Ousmane Seye (SEN), Jeroen van Vliet (NL), Zoumana Diarra (MALI), Rick van Heerden (SA), Kamal al Hors (MAR), Patrick Votrian (USA), Oké Sene (SEN), Layba Diawarra (GUI), Lamin Kuyateh (GAM), Ebou Gaye Mada (GAM), Mamour Seck (SEN).


Compiled and produced the monumental 22-cd series 'Historical Recordings by Hugh Tracey' of African music from the 40s and 50s, released by SWP Records. Made own field recordings in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, in 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010 - also released by SWP Records.