At age five my father suprised me when he brought a box with a magic instrument in it, a soprano saxophone. He taught the fingerings and my musical journey started. After graduating as a mathematician at the University I was admitted to the conservatory where I graduated as Master Jazz saxophone specialised in lead-alto playing. Later I also graduated as a Bachelor in Classical clarinet.

It’s my passion to inspire other people to enjoy the meaning of music. As a teacher (private lessons or workshops), as a  performer, as a conductor or composer. I specialised in integrating  jazz, pop and world music in classical ensembles, with improvisation being an important ingredient.

As a free-lance saxophone player I work with the Metropole Orchestra, WDR Big Band, Royal Dutch Airforce Band, the Noord Nederlands Orkest, Clazz Ensemble, Guido’s Orchestra and my groups JanZZn4! and Wood & Winds. I am the regular lead-alto player in the Konrad Koselleck Big Band and Holland Big Band, the LUNAR Ensemble and played musicals like “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “La cage aux folles”, “Annie”, “Chicago”, “Cats”, “Evita”, “Hairspray”, “Fame”, “Footloose”, “Assepoester”, “Joseph”, “Grace”, “Oorlogswinter”, “Miss Saigon”, “Kiss of the spider woman” and in the opera’s “Buwalski”, “Sancta Susanna” and “God’s Videotheque”.

I had the honour to be inspired by working together with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Toots Thielemans, Bono, Cliff Richard, Chaka Kahn, Mariza, Maria Schneider, Tori Amos, Randy Brecker, Vince Mendoza, Wynton Marsalis, Candy Dulfer and John Scofield and use these influences in my compositions.