Time to celebrate, with both young and established musicians who have performed with us during the past fifty years. All of them are connected to BIM, the union for improvising musicians that was founded in 1971. The BIMHUIS was related to this union, but became independent later on. Especially for the BIM-anniversary we present new music by two imaginative composers, Iman Spaargaren and Ian Cleaver. Each of them will perform with well-known players linked to the union.

Iman Spaargaren composed a triptych representing the rise, growth and decay op Europe in the twenty-first century. Orchestral sections and classical themes are interchanged with compelling free funk, dreamy soundscapes and raw experiment.

Trumpeter Ian Cleaver mixes American jazz with influences from the Dutch school of improvisation. His composition will be performed by an all-star intergenerational lineup, including guitarist Jesse van Ruller and drummer Han Bennink. Ian says: ‘This project stems from various sounds and melodies that I have taken in, in Amsterdam as well as in New York, where I currently live and study.’