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Rob Agerbeek

Rob Agerbeek
Agerbeek in 2013
Agerbeek in 2013
Background information
Birth nameRobbert Arris Jules Agerbeek
Born(1937-09-28)28 September 1937
Batavia, Dutch East Indies
Died5 July 2023(2023-07-05) (aged 85)
The Hague, Netherlands
GenresBoogie-woogie, Dixieland jazz, swing, contemporary jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentPiano
Years active1956–2023
LabelsCBS, Polydor, Dexterity, Munich, Oldie Blues, Timeless, Lime Tree, Jazzz'91, Blue Jack Jazz, Venus

Robbert Arris Jules Agerbeek (28 September 1937 – 5 July 2023) was an Indo Dutch boogie-woogie and jazz pianist and winner of several jazz concourses in the Netherlands in the late 1950s. He was regarded as one of Europe's finest jazz pianists, covering the full spectrum of jazz styles from his early days of Boogie-Woogie to Chicago traditional Jazz, swing and contemporary jazz.[1] Agerbeek gained recognition as a highly regarded accompanist for numerous renowned American jazz musicians who toured and resided in Europe during the 1960s and 1970s. Notable collaborations included performances with Gene Ammons, Art Blakey, Don Byas, Johnny Griffin, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley and Ben Webster. Agerbeek's ability to adapt to different musical styles impressed audiences and critics alike. In the 1980s, he surprised many by transitioning to traditional jazz and joining the Dutch Swing College Band.[2]

Early life and career

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In 1954 Agerbeek and his family arrived in the Netherlands. He started playing the piano at the age of 17 or 18. Except for one piano lesson from his mother he was completely self-taught; he learned the piano by listening to records of Albert Ammons, Johnny Maddox, Winifred Atwell, Pete Johnson and Meade Lux Lewis.[3] In the first years of his career Agerbeek was mainly into Boogie-woogie and later in his career he expanded his playing styles with bebop, hardbop and dixieland. He accompanied more than hundred, mainly American, Jazz musicians such as Ben Webster, Hank Mobley, Dexter Gordon, George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, George Coleman and Gene Ammons.[4]

Agerbeek performed at international jazzfestivals as the Paris Jazz Festival, Hammerveld Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Kongsberg Jazz Festival and the Berlin Jazz Festival.[5]

Later career

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On 17 November 1996 Agerbeek celebrated his 40 years jubilee as an allround jazz pianist when he was presented with the membership of honour of the Hague Jazz Club.[6]

in the 1990s Agerbeek performed with The Grand Piano Boogie Train featuring Dutch pianists Rob Hoeke and Jaap Dekker and recorded two albums with the group.

As of 2022, Agerbeek still occasionally performed with his trio consisting of himself on piano and Ben Schröder on drums and Alex Milo on bass. Joining in on vocals on several performances were Jazz singer Mirjam van Dam,[7] Susanne de Rooij[8] and Brigitte Soffner.

Rob Agerbeek's last public performance was on 18 May 2023.[9]

Death

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Agerbeek died on 5 July 2023, at the age of 85.[10]

Awards

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Discography

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Rob Agerbeek's discography of over 40 albums including "Homerun," "Beatles' Boogies," "All Souls" (featuring Dexter Gordon), "Keep The Change," "Pardon My Bop" and "On Green Dolphin Street" (featuring George Coleman). Five albums with the Dutch Swing College Band and 10 recordings with his own bands[1] of which three on the Oldie Blues label.[12]

Studio albums as Rob Agerbeek, Rob Agerbeek Trio and Rob Agerbeek Quintet

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Collaboration albums

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As member of The Dutch Swing College Band

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Albums featuring Rob Agerbeek

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Rhine Town Dixie Preachers". Rtdp.nl. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  2. ^ "Take Three with Rob Agerbeek". FLOPHOUSE. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Interview with Rob Agerbeek by Ben Kragting Jr. in Jazz Magazine available on Rhine Town Dixie Preachers website" (PDF). Rtdp.nl. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Muziekencyclopedie – Rob Agerbeek" (in Dutch). Muziekencyclopedie.nl. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Hardbop pianist Rob Agerbeek – Rotterdam – dichtbij.nl – Rotterdam-Prins-Alexander". dichtbij.nl. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  6. ^ Olderen, Martin van, The Boogie Rocks, Linernotes CD OLCD 7110, 1997
  7. ^ "Mirjam van Dam en Rob Agerbeek: Jazz". Mirjamvandam.nl. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  8. ^ "Speciale Boekingen". Heart4music.nl. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  9. ^ "Stichting Tileng's jaarlijkse event… Benefiet Kumpulan". tileng.nl. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Bekende jazzpianist Rob Agerbeek (85) overleden". MSN (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "Rob Agerbeek". Jazzhelden. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Oldie Blues discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
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