Founded in 1987 by a small group of UT students who put on two annual jazz concerts in the Vestingbar, JazzPodium Drienerlo grew enough to shift performances to the Vrijhof Amphitheater. Today a group of eight students affiliated with the UT runs the JPD as a non-profit foundation, using grants from the UT as well as from the Dutch government. A few businesses, such as B&W, also underwrite JPD activities. Its concerts have grown from twice a year with audiences of 20 jazz enthusiasts to six concerts yearly with up to 150 people in attendance. Unique among the nation's university clubs, JPD is well known in the Dutch jazz scene, attracting all sorts of modern jazz groups. Because the JPD only schedules concerts on Mondays, most jazz ensembles are available, if not eager, to play. JPD members often select the program from `scouting' trips, attending modern jazz concerts all over the Netherlands.
In addition to inviting artists to play at the UT, JPD sets up jazz appreciation courses. It has even published a jazz basics booklet entitled `Jazz: Vrijheid en structuur in muziek,' which can be purchased at the CD Uitleen (a CD library in Enschede) for four euros.
Although the JPD is exclusively involved in organizational of jazz, its members are jazz aficionados, some of whom perform jazz music as well. One such member is Casper Tromp, a UT undergraduate in Industrial Design. His chief extra-curricular passion is music, specifically jazz. Not just a listener, he is an accomplished pianist. Thanks to his classical piano teacher who turned him on to jazz a few years ago, he plays Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. In addition to performing in a classical duo, he is a member of a newly formed jazz combo called Jacapini Quartet and of the big band Stubiba - which will perform this week in the Vrijhof. Comparing classical and jazz music, Tromp says, `Classical is what other people have already written down; with jazz, you can make your own music - that's what I like.'
In honor of the 10 the anniversary of JazzDay, JPD has a fabulous program on Monday, October 10. In conjunction with Broodje Cultuur, JPD presents bassist Ernst Glerum as he improvises along with video fragments of a percussionist. Early in the evening, an unusual art exhibit will open in the Vrijhof as Peter Geert displays his handcrafted, utterly original kinetic sound objects. And, the evening will move into full swing with the ICP Orchestra, whose members Tromp calls `de neus van de zalm,' a quirky Dutch expression meaning the `very best' of the Dutch jazz scene, adding that it is `a great example of how much fun music can be.' JazzDay is part of JazzWeek in Enschede. In collaboration with other local music organizations, JPD has arranged that jazz will be playing somewhere in Enschede every day from Saturday, October 8 thru Friday, October 14. A weeklong pass is available for 12.50 euros at the CD Uitleen or at the VVV.
Tromp describes future goals of JPD as `aiming for more concerts and more supporters.' His secret desire is that `every UT student should attend at least one concert.' JPD seeks fresh ideas and willing volunteers. For more information, contact the JPD at [email protected]
Casper Tromp's Top 5 Jazz CDs
1. Kind of blue - Miles Davis (the classic)
2. A love Supreme - John Coltrane (the most intense)
3. Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock (the standard)
4. Ella and Louis - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong (swing)
5. AlasNoAxis - Jim Black (heavy)
