Twenty years ago, saxophonist Rolf Delfos and drummer Pascal Vermeer
got the idea of releasing an album with music by the renowned South African
composer Dollar Brand (now called Abdullah Ibrahim), titled Brandage.
As a tribute to his beautiful infectious works, two tours followed.
Since then both Vermeer and Delfos have made several trips to South Africa
and it’s music still is a great source of inspiration. Recently Delfos had the
opportunity to arrange 14 pieces for prominent South African jazz musicians
as part of the Pretoria Jazz Festival.
Now in 2024, purely out of musical desire, the project is being revived with
new repertoire, new arrangements and new musicians; with bassist Eric van
der Westen (one of the first double bassists from the Netherlands to collaborate
with South African musicians) and a young guard consisting of Koen Smits
(trumpet), Jeroen Verberne (trombone) and Rein Godefroy (piano).
Rolf Delfos – alto and tenor sax, arrangements
Koen Smits – trumpet
Jeroen Verberne – trombone
Rein Godefroy – piano
Eric van der Westen – double bass
Pascal Vermeer – drums
Photo by Miles Delfos