Han Bennink & Terrie Ex

What else is there to say about two artists who are nothing short of musical heritage? So much. As a member of perhaps the best Dutch band ever - a dangerous statement, I admit - Terrie Ex went to Ethiopia with Han Bennink years ago. Anyone who is observant has already spotted a common thread in our program. The Ex eventually went on tour with the now-deceased Ethiopian jazz legend Getatchew Mekurya, while the collaboration between Terrie Ex and Han Bennink goes back even further and still occasionally surface. Can you expect something Ethiopian from their concert at Valkhof Festival? Only Ex and Bennink know the answer to that question.

Seeing both musicians perform live is an experience in itself. How they color outside the lines, use their instruments in the most unexpected ways, or how a combined experience of more than a century of making music also guarantees an interesting performance no matter what. Bennink himself turned 80 this year (!), but there is nothing to notice. He maintains the same playfulness and humorous style that characterize all his solo work. And to think that the improvisational virtuoso has drummed for greats like Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon or Eric Dolphy...