Jorg Kaaij is a Dutch saxophone player, composer, producer and educator. He is a member of the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw and co-founder of the music production company Toontrap Muziekproducties which has produced music for radio, television, and award-winning films such as ‘Sand’ (2008) and ‘Kiss’ (2009). Jorg Kaaij is founder of De Luchtfabriek BV, a production company specialized in promotion, production, and education of music, words & lyrics e.g.
Jorg Kaaij Quintet - Downtown Daze - featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel
Scott Gotschall (Jazzreview USA) about Downtown Daze:
"Downtown Daze is a testament to the future of the jazz community and music as a whole."
Read all reviews on Downtown Daze
Jorg Kaaij - Biografie (NL)
Jorg Kaaij (1975) studeerde, na het behalen van zijn diploma aan het Praedinius Gymnasium te Groningen, saxofoon aan het Hilversums Conservatorium bij Ferdinand Povel, Jasper Blom en Rob Madna. In 1998 behaalde Kaaij zijn ‘Bachelor’ diploma waarna hij in 2000 zijn ‘Masters’ afrondde.
In datzelfde jaar ontving Kaaij de Incentive Award, een aanmoedigingsprijs van de Stichting Jazztalent. Aansluitend maakte Jorg Kaaij een studiereis naar New York (USA). Op het North Sea Jazz Festival maakt Kaaij met zijn Jorg Kaaij Kwartet in 2001 zijn internationale debuut. Kaaij keert vervolgens in 2002 terug naar New York om daar op uitnodiging van Bob Hagen, van de Stichting Jazz Impuls, zijn debuut-cd op te nemen, samen met o.a. gitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, drummer Carl Allen, pianist Edwin Berg en bassist Hans Glawischnig. De cd van dit Jorg Kaaij Quintet verschijnt in 2003 onder de titel Downtown Daze (Jazz ’n Pulz BMCD399) en wordt door de pers nationaal en internationaal zeer positief ontvangen.
Vervolgens speelt Kaaij, naast collega-saxofonist Tom Beek, op Bergs cd Water een gastrol. Het Edwin Berg Trio, respectievelijk de cd Water, worden onderscheiden met de Best European Jazz Band Award op het International Jazz Festival Granada 2002. De cd Heartland van het Edwin Berg Trio + Jorg Kaaij (Big Bang/Cambayá KAR7776) is in het naspel van die prijs in Spanje opgenomen.
In 2003 is Kaaij finalist bij de Best European Saxophoneplayer Contest in Berlijn.
In 2004 zet Kaaij samen met pianist, componist Amir Swaab het bedrijf Toontrap Muziekproducties op. Toontrap verzorgt muziek voor radio, televisie en film.
Jorg Kaaij is sinds 2003 vast verbonden aan het Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.
ENGLISH
Jorg Kaaij - Biography
Jorg Kaaij (1975) studied jazz saxophone at the Conservatory of Hilversum in the Netherlands. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1998 and finished his Masters at the Conservatory of Amsterdam in 2000. Upon his graduation in 2000 Kaaij received an incentive award for upcoming jazz talent which allowed him to continue his studies in New York. The distinguished list of musicians/educators he studied with includes: Ferdinand Povel, Rob Madna, Jasper Blom and Dick Oatts.
Jorg Kaaij’s performance with his Quartet at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2001 in the Hague marked his international debut as a leader. Consequently, in february 2002, Jorg Kaaij records his debut album, Downtown Daze, in New York with Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar), Edwin Berg (piano), Carl Allen (drums) and Hans Glawischnig (bass). At its release, the album by the Jorg Kaaij Quintet - Downtown Daze - received much critical acclaim. Click here for reviews of Downtown Daze.
In 2001 Jorg Kaaij and fellow saxophonist Tom Beek made a guest appearance on Edwin Berg’s album Water. Consequently the Edwin Berg Trio resp. the cd Water was awarded the Best European Jazz Group Award Granada Jazz Festival 2002. In the aftermath the album Heartland by The Edwin Berg Trio + Jorg Kaaij was being recorded in Granada, Spain, november 2002.
In 2003 Jorg was finalist at the Best European Saxophoneplayer Contest in Berlin (Germany).
In addition to his activities as a leader, Jorg Kaaij is a member of the renowned Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw since 2003. With this big band Jorg Kaaij has accompanied numerous acclaimed artists such as a.o. Toots Thielemans, Branford Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, George Coleman, Chick Corea, Mike Mainieri, Pat Martino, George Duke, Benny Golson and Roy Hargrove.
In 2004 Jorg Kaaij and pianist, composer Amir Swaab establish Toontrap Music Productions. A company which composes music for film, radio and television.
Jorg Kaaij has performed with a diverse array of artists and groups including: Rob Madna, Owen Hart jr., Dick Oatts, Steve Altenberg, Timucin Sahin, Ralph Peterson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Agnar Magnusson, John Engels and Pierre Courbois a.o.
Jorg Kaaij has played at major jazzfestivals and clubs throughout Europe, Africa, the USA, South America and Asia, visiting countries like France, Germany, Turkey, Lithuania, China, Greece, Brasil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Japan, Danmark, Nigeria, Spain, Norway and Italy.
Selected Discography
As a leader/co-leader
• Downtown Daze, Jorg Kaaij Quintet, 2003 (Jazz ‘n Pulz/Munich BMCD 399)
• Heartland, Edwin Berg Trio + Jorg Kaaij. 2003 (Big Bang/Karonte 7776)
As a sideman
• Blues For The Date, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2010 (JOC JR109)
• Silk Rush, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2008 (JOC JR108)
• Symbiosis, Joost Swart, Saxion V, Gustav Klimt String Quartet, 2007 (Morfo Music MMCD01)
• Riffs ‘n Rhythms, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2007 (JOC JR107)
• Amsterdam Jam, Cotton Club All Stars, 2007 (Hi5 Records)
• Happy House, Holland Big Band, 2007 (Jazz Shop Records JSR06004)
• Rock Swings (on the wild side of swing), Paul Young & Big Band, 2006 (Media Motion)
• Tribute To Ray Charles, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2005 (Munich BMCD 489)
• Sunday Nights in Amsterdam, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2004 (Munich BMCD 477)
• 30 Jaar Sesjun, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (& Four Freshmen) 2003
• Water, Edwin Berg Trio (guests appearances by Jorg Kaaij & Tom Beek), 2002
Jorg Kaaij Quintet - Downtown Daze - featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel
Scott Gotschall (Jazzreview USA) about Downtown Daze:
"Downtown Daze is a testament to the future of the jazz community and music as a whole."
Read all reviews on Downtown Daze
Jorg Kaaij - Biografie (NL)
Jorg Kaaij (1975) studeerde, na het behalen van zijn diploma aan het Praedinius Gymnasium te Groningen, saxofoon aan het Hilversums Conservatorium bij Ferdinand Povel, Jasper Blom en Rob Madna. In 1998 behaalde Kaaij zijn ‘Bachelor’ diploma waarna hij in 2000 zijn ‘Masters’ afrondde.
In datzelfde jaar ontving Kaaij de Incentive Award, een aanmoedigingsprijs van de Stichting Jazztalent. Aansluitend maakte Jorg Kaaij een studiereis naar New York (USA). Op het North Sea Jazz Festival maakt Kaaij met zijn Jorg Kaaij Kwartet in 2001 zijn internationale debuut. Kaaij keert vervolgens in 2002 terug naar New York om daar op uitnodiging van Bob Hagen, van de Stichting Jazz Impuls, zijn debuut-cd op te nemen, samen met o.a. gitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, drummer Carl Allen, pianist Edwin Berg en bassist Hans Glawischnig. De cd van dit Jorg Kaaij Quintet verschijnt in 2003 onder de titel Downtown Daze (Jazz ’n Pulz BMCD399) en wordt door de pers nationaal en internationaal zeer positief ontvangen.
Vervolgens speelt Kaaij, naast collega-saxofonist Tom Beek, op Bergs cd Water een gastrol. Het Edwin Berg Trio, respectievelijk de cd Water, worden onderscheiden met de Best European Jazz Band Award op het International Jazz Festival Granada 2002. De cd Heartland van het Edwin Berg Trio + Jorg Kaaij (Big Bang/Cambayá KAR7776) is in het naspel van die prijs in Spanje opgenomen.
In 2003 is Kaaij finalist bij de Best European Saxophoneplayer Contest in Berlijn.
In 2004 zet Kaaij samen met pianist, componist Amir Swaab het bedrijf Toontrap Muziekproducties op. Toontrap verzorgt muziek voor radio, televisie en film.
Jorg Kaaij is sinds 2003 vast verbonden aan het Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.
ENGLISH
Jorg Kaaij - Biography
Jorg Kaaij (1975) studied jazz saxophone at the Conservatory of Hilversum in the Netherlands. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1998 and finished his Masters at the Conservatory of Amsterdam in 2000. Upon his graduation in 2000 Kaaij received an incentive award for upcoming jazz talent which allowed him to continue his studies in New York. The distinguished list of musicians/educators he studied with includes: Ferdinand Povel, Rob Madna, Jasper Blom and Dick Oatts.
Jorg Kaaij’s performance with his Quartet at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2001 in the Hague marked his international debut as a leader. Consequently, in february 2002, Jorg Kaaij records his debut album, Downtown Daze, in New York with Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar), Edwin Berg (piano), Carl Allen (drums) and Hans Glawischnig (bass). At its release, the album by the Jorg Kaaij Quintet - Downtown Daze - received much critical acclaim. Click here for reviews of Downtown Daze.
In 2001 Jorg Kaaij and fellow saxophonist Tom Beek made a guest appearance on Edwin Berg’s album Water. Consequently the Edwin Berg Trio resp. the cd Water was awarded the Best European Jazz Group Award Granada Jazz Festival 2002. In the aftermath the album Heartland by The Edwin Berg Trio + Jorg Kaaij was being recorded in Granada, Spain, november 2002.
In 2003 Jorg was finalist at the Best European Saxophoneplayer Contest in Berlin (Germany).
In addition to his activities as a leader, Jorg Kaaij is a member of the renowned Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw since 2003. With this big band Jorg Kaaij has accompanied numerous acclaimed artists such as a.o. Toots Thielemans, Branford Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, George Coleman, Chick Corea, Mike Mainieri, Pat Martino, George Duke, Benny Golson and Roy Hargrove.
In 2004 Jorg Kaaij and pianist, composer Amir Swaab establish Toontrap Music Productions. A company which composes music for film, radio and television.
Jorg Kaaij has performed with a diverse array of artists and groups including: Rob Madna, Owen Hart jr., Dick Oatts, Steve Altenberg, Timucin Sahin, Ralph Peterson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Agnar Magnusson, John Engels and Pierre Courbois a.o.
Jorg Kaaij has played at major jazzfestivals and clubs throughout Europe, Africa, the USA, South America and Asia, visiting countries like France, Germany, Turkey, Lithuania, China, Greece, Brasil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Japan, Danmark, Nigeria, Spain, Norway and Italy.
Selected Discography
As a leader/co-leader
• Downtown Daze, Jorg Kaaij Quintet, 2003 (Jazz ‘n Pulz/Munich BMCD 399)
• Heartland, Edwin Berg Trio + Jorg Kaaij. 2003 (Big Bang/Karonte 7776)
As a sideman
• Blues For The Date, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2010 (JOC JR109)
• Silk Rush, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2008 (JOC JR108)
• Symbiosis, Joost Swart, Saxion V, Gustav Klimt String Quartet, 2007 (Morfo Music MMCD01)
• Riffs ‘n Rhythms, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2007 (JOC JR107)
• Amsterdam Jam, Cotton Club All Stars, 2007 (Hi5 Records)
• Happy House, Holland Big Band, 2007 (Jazz Shop Records JSR06004)
• Rock Swings (on the wild side of swing), Paul Young & Big Band, 2006 (Media Motion)
• Tribute To Ray Charles, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2005 (Munich BMCD 489)
• Sunday Nights in Amsterdam, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, 2004 (Munich BMCD 477)
• 30 Jaar Sesjun, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (& Four Freshmen) 2003
• Water, Edwin Berg Trio (guests appearances by Jorg Kaaij & Tom Beek), 2002