Willem Breuker

Dutch saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and bandleader Willem Breuker is probably the single most well known, prolific, and influential figure in 20th century Dutch music. From his early, free jazz days to his role as long-time leader of the successful Willem Breuker Kollektief, he accomplished much in creative music from the 1960s on. In addition to performing, Breuker helped instigate changes in government subsidies for jazz and improvised music, he co-founded two important independent, Dutch labels -- ICP and BVHaast -- and he unabashedly mixed genres and incorporated humor and theater into his compositions, with a love of experimentation and a definite dedication to music.



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