Jasper van 't Hof

Dutch virtuoso pianist/keyboardist Jasper van ‘t Hof is a maverick within the Dutch jazz scene. He is always looking for adventure, and for renewal of his own style. From world music in his fusion group Pili Pili to exuberant solo piano recitals with influences from minimal, blues and classical. Music with a romantic character, sometimes larger than life itself.

Jasper van’t Hof was born in 1947 in Enschede and was brought up on music with the proverbial spoon. His father was a professional trumpet player and his mother a classical singer. When he was five years old he started to take piano lessons, and at 14 he knew that this instrument was his future. He began to compose, and felt most attracted to (free) jazz, and the ever-expanding possibilities of electric piano and keyboards.

At age 19 he performed at the Loosdrecht Jazz Competition, where he came into contact with Pierre Courbois, who included him in the legendary formation Association P.C.. From then on he began to make a name for himself internationally as well. In Association P.C. van’t Hof can be heard on the albums: “Earwax,” “Sun Rotation” and “Erna Morena.” van ‘t Hof lelft the group in 1973. He played with Archie Shepp, the combo Piano Conclave and saxophonist Charlie Mariano, with whom he then formed the group Pork Pie.

Guitarist Philip Catherine later joined Pork Pie. “The Door Is Open,” Pork Pie’s second album, was released in 1976. “The Selfkicker” was van ‘t Hof’s first solo album. The pianist performed and toured extensively with such luminaries as Manfred Schoof, George Gruntz, Larry Coryell, Jean-Luc Ponty and Alphonse Mouzon. He was part of Electric Circus and various bands of Jan Akkerman, and in 1980 formed the group Eyeball. From 1981 to 1983, either solo or with a trio or quartet, he worked a fairly fixed schedule of European concerts, since he felt unrecognized in his own country.

He did receive recognition abroad. Thus Van ‘t Hof regularly appeared in poll results of authoritative magazines such as Down Beat (US), Melody Maker (England) and Jazz Podium (Germany). In 1982, the keyboardist was awarded an Edison. In 1984, van ‘t Hof asked African singer Angelique Kidjo to join him on tour. They also made some recordings together. An African tour with Philip Catherine lead to the recordings for the album Pili Pili.

From the initiative, the band Pili Pili was born, a group that became very popular, especially in Germany. Jasper van ‘t Hof has since spent a lot of time in South Africa where he finds a lot of inspiration. This can be heard, for example, on “Incwadi Yothando” (2000) and on “Ballads Of Timbuktu” (2002). This last album he made with Pili Pili and it includes contributions from Dra Diarra (percussion, vocals, koni), Mabinthy Sakho (vocals), Eric Vloeimans (trumpet) and Stefan Jungmair (programming).

Pili Pili celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004 with a tour of Germany. Jasper van ‘t Hof currently forms a quartet with trombonist Ilja Reijngoud, bassist Eric van der Westen and drummer Marcel Serierse, and a trio with saxophonist Ulli Jünemann and guitarist Jeanfrançois Prins.

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