Pocket Concerts (5) with Harmen Fraanje
Harmen Fraanje (Roosendaal, 1976) is not only a jazz pianist, but also an internationally renowned composer and teacher. He has a unique voice in contemporary improvised music. His music exudes lyricism and introspection, with a refined balance between minimalism and expressive depth.
In his playing, jazz, classical harmony, and world music flow organically together, with subtle influences from African traditions, among others.
Fraanje leads a variety of ensembles: from solo projects to trios and duos. His trio with cellist Ernst Reijseger and singer/percussionist Mola Sylla is a unique cross-pollination of European classical music, free improvisation, and West African rhythms. He also forms a restrained duo with Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen; their album, Touch of Time (released in 2024 on ECM), evokes a mutually inspiring soundscape.
He was also a keyboardist for a long time in the trio of Norwegian bassist Mats Eilertsen (including And Then Comes the Night, 2019), and played a prominent role in Eric Vloeimans’ Fugimundi Trio and Michael Moore’s Fragile Quartet. Thanks to his intensive collaborations with leading musicians such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Mark Turner, Magic Malik, and Han Bennink, he has become a fixture on the European jazz scene.
