Musicians

Andrew Read - Double Bass

Born 1960 in Melbourne Australia Andrew’s passion for music was evident from a young age. Andrew begun his musical career with the violin, a choice that to this day he still doesn’t quite understand. Once realising that the violin was not his instrument he tried his hand at numerous other instruments including the piano and classical guitar. At age 16 he switched to the Bass Guitar and a year later, after hearing Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue” album moved on to the double bass.  Andrew studied double bass at the Victorian college of the Arts in Melbourne Australia. After leaving the college in 1981 Andrew worked with a number of prominent Australian Pop and Jazz artists including among other's Vince Jones, Ricky May, Brave Men and Perfect Strangers. In 1993 Andrew moved to the Netherlands to further his studies in classical music Studing with Hans Roelofsen at the ArtEZ conservatorium in Arnhem. In 1996 he formed the Andrew Read Trio that would become his main vehicle for his compositions. Together with drummer Erik Poorterman and pianist Hans Kwakkernaat the Andrew Read Trio has produced a number of CD’s and performed throughout Europe. In addition to the trio Andrew has worked as a sideman with a number of international artists as Elvis Costello, Toni Braxton, Phil Woods and Milt Jackson.

Andrew is also active in the classical world where he specialises in the performance of early music. Andrew performs with numerous early music ensembles and up until 2009 was the founder and musical director of the well known Dutch baroque orchestra Il Concerto Barocco.

Hans Kwakkernaat - Piano

Hans began his professional career studying at the ArtEZ Conservatorium in Arnhem. After graduating (Cum Laude) he very quickly became one of the most respected jazz pianist's in the Netherlands working with the who’s who of the Dutch jazz world. During his career Hans has toured extensively and performed at prominent festivals throughout the world including the U.S.A., Jamaica, Iceland and Germany. During his career Hans has shared the stage with international artist’s including James Moody, Bob Mintzer , Kenny Wheeler, and many others.

In addition to performing with the Andrew Read Trio, Hans plays regularly with a number of Dutch big bands. He is the founder of the Oostenwind sextet and is the pianist for the "Music of Oscar Peterson" tribute show. Hans is also active as an educator at his old alma mater the conservatorium in Arnhem.

Erik Poortermann - Drums

In the early 1990’s Erik began his study at the Conservatorium in Enschede (The Netherlands) and graduated in 1998 with a degree in performance majoring in drums and percussion. During his study years Erik performed with John Hondorp’s Hammond Trio and played in the guitar trio Wash & Go! Also during this period Erik, together with Italian pianist Gerlando Alfeo and Australian bassist Andrew Read, formed the Andrew Read Trio. In addition to his work in the jazz field Erik is active in the World Music scene, performing with the Klezmerband Oor Hasjachor and the Irish trio Fiddelhead as well as dabbling in Musical Theatre with productions of "Anatevka" and “Menschen im Hotel”. As a sideman Erik has performed with artists as Charlie Mariano, Jan Akkerman, Teddy Edwards, Nippy Noya, Adrienne West, Peter Tiehuis and Madeline Bell. Erik also has a passion for Big Bands and is currently the Drummer with the Jazz Art Orchestra.