Jazz orchestra Bik Bent Braam occupies a unique position internationally. Michiel Braam started the 13 piece band in 1986 and since then it’s become increasingly hard to pin down what’s going to be played during any given performance. Bik Bent Braam is now at the point where it performs without a play list. quot;I want to play as freely with Bik Bent as with a trioquot;, says Braam. quot;Decisions that I usually make while writing, over solos, orchestration and background, are made by the musicians on the spot.quot;

Thanks to the longstanding collaboration within the orchestra and the top notch Dutch improvisers, Braam’s free approach never leads to a cacophonous anarchy but rather to a wonderfully homogenous and supple whole. Light-footed passages and overwhelming surges of sound flow effortlessly into each other, parts of one effervescent organism.

Michiel Braam writes his material with his musicians in mind, thus getting the best out of each orchestra member. His love of instrumental boundaries is characteristic. He'll let the tuba play really high for instance and the trumpet extremely low, giving the orchestra its unique sound.

The program Bik Bent Braam Goes Bonsai' resulted in 'the best jazz record of 2002' according to national newspaper critic Koen Schouten. The 2004 CD Growing Pains' earned the band praise as 'the most exciting music machine around'.

For the 2006' program 13 Concertos' Braam wrote a small concert for each of his band members, making use of their specialities. The typical Bik Bent Braam approach stays the same: no play list, no bandleader, no set tempi; anyone can begin a piece or an improvisation at any time and see if the others will play along. It turns each performance into an adventure.

2008 brings Outer Limits'. This programme investigates the outer limits of musical possibilities. The improvisations and written material explore extremes in volume (rock hardest, velvet softest, mezzomezzopiano-est), range (mountain highest, soul deepest), texture (thinnest, amorphousest), character (laid backest, hyperest), and 'playability' (easypeasy-est, trickiest).

Michiel Braam (piano), Wilbert de Joode (double bass), Michael Vatcher (drums), Frank Gratkowski (altosax, clarinet, bassclarinet), Jan Willem van der Ham (altosax, bassoon), Bart van der Putten (altosax, clarinet), Frans Vermeerssen (tenorsax, baritonesax), Peter van Bergen (tenorsax, clarinet, bassclarinet), Peter Haex (euphonium), Carl Ludwig Hübsch (tuba), Eric Boeren (cornet), Angelo Verploegen (trumpet) and Wolter Wierbos (trombone).

International Jazzfestival Moers (DE), North Sea Jazzfestival (NL), Guimarães Jazz Festival (PT), Jazz Festival Brugge (BE), ZomerJazzFietstour Groningen (NL), Europa Jazz festival Le Mans (FR), Bath International Music Festival (UK), International Jazz Festivals of Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Victoria (CA), Yokohama Jazz Promenade (JP), Chicago Jazz Festival (US), Guelph Jazz Festival (CA), Bordeaux Jazz Festival (FR), Jazz Festival Münster (DE), Seven Bridges (NL).

If anyone needs proof of the vitality of Dutch jazz, he (or she) needs look no further than Bik Bent Braam. For those attracted to adventurous, eclectic arrangements that span the spectrum from swing to free jazz, performed by extraordinary musicians, this one is a winner.

Steven Loewy, All Music Guide (US)

Compelling themes, precise ensemble work and open-minded musicians who revel in the music – Bik Bent Braam is currently the most exciting music machine around.

Koen Schouten, Volkskrant (NL)

Bik Bent Braam specializes in headspinning avant-traditionalist jazz. As with Ellington, the charts are constantly subject to revision and renegotiation – often right on the stand, where the players peck at them like a flock of magpies. The usual Dutch sense of humour is in evidence throughout. The results are colourful and tremendously enjoyable: Growing Pains’ fleetness and spontaneity leaves most other big band discs in the dust.

Nate Dorward, Exclaim! Magazine (CA)

There's no doubt that BBB joins Willem Breuker Kollektief and ICP as a must hear and see Dutch musical export.

Ken Waxman, Jazzword (US)