Mathilde Santing

Rita Reys was long ago billed as "Europe's First Lady of Jazz." A legend overseas, Reys was one of the top jazz singers in Europe from the mid-'50s to the turn of the millennium. Born Maria Everdina Reys in Rotterdam, she began singing as a teenager. Reys won several song contests and in 1941, when she was 16, joined the Hawaiian Minstrels. In 1943 she became a member of her father's theater orchestra. Other early experiences included touring with Lex Van Spall, Ted Powder, and the Piet Van Dijk Orchestra. In 1945 she married drummer Wessel Ilcken, who introduced her to the postwar jazz scene. She worked with her husband's sextet for most of a decade. They were based in Stockholm for a time, where she recorded with the great baritonist Lars Gullin in 1953. In 1956 Reys recorded probably her most famous album, The Cool Voice of Rita Reys. Her backup band was Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. Reys and Ilcken spent a few months in the United States during 1956-1957. She had opportunities to sing not only with Blakey but Jimmy Smith, Chico Hamilton, Clark Terry, and Mat Mathews.

At the age of ten Simone Honijk started with classical piano lessons and co n tinued these lessons for nine years. However, over time, singing became her real passion! From the age of 20 she took vocal lessons with professional teachers (pop and jazz styles) and attended many vocal improvisational and interpretaional workshops with various professionals. (i.e. Mathilde Santing, Carmen Gomes, Joris Teepe, Sheila Jordan, Jody Gilbert).

Hermine Deurloo’s style on the chromatic harmonica is characterized as being rich, lyrical, and varied, combined with effortless fluency. Hermine studied saxophone at the Amsterdam Conservatory while, at the same time, teaching herself to play the harmonica. She’s recorded and performed all over the world and with musicians such as Steve Gadd, Jim Black, Han Bennink, Tony Scherr, Willem Breuker Kollektief, Candy Dulfer, Al Jarreau, and the Metropole Orchestra.