Opening Grachtenfestival 2026

The Grachtenfestival Ensemble 2026 consists of young musicians and was formed through an open call by the Grachtenfestival and Amarte.

The program includes a new composition by Artist in Residence Arjan Linker, based on the Indian raga Patdeep. The work was originally conceived as a solo cello piece, but for the opening it has been reworked into a version for the rich and varied textures of the Grachtenfestival Ensemble.

The opening is spectacularly concluded by The Fried Seven with Laura Dooge.

The band is exceptionally skilled at reviving early jazz styles. Their swinging repertoire includes music by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, and Duke Ellington, as well as original arrangements written by and for the band.

The Grachtenfestival Ensemble also appears in a concert among carnivorous plants at Pantar, in the Tuinderij. They also perform during the Beethoven 5 km, where audiences are invited not only to listen but also to run energetically along with the music.
Finally, Arjan’s composition will be performed in a solo cello version by Stefano Bruno at the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam.

Musicians Grachtenfestival Ensemble 
Livia Stefani violin 
Emma Warmelink cello  
Roberto Sanhermelando Blanes upright bass 
Miguel Ramos clarinet 
Maarten Combrink trombone 
Helena Sousa Estévez accordeon 
João Sequeira percussion

Musicians The Fried Seven & Laura Dooge
Laura Dooge vocals 
Pablo Castillo cornet 
Rudolph Stengel trombone 
Martí Mitjavila reeds 
Pepijn Mouwen reeds
Cem Karayalçin banjo & guitar 
Garry Nayah upright bass
Carlos Santana piano 
Carlos Ayuso drums 

The Grachtenfestival Ensemble 2026 was formed through an open call by the Grachtenfestival in collaboration with Amarte. Young musicians were selected to form an ensemble together during the summer. The instrumentation includes clarinet, trombone, accordion, percussion, violin, cello, and double bass. During the festival, the musicians worked on new repertoire and special concert formats at unexpected locations.

This concert is made possible in part by Buma Cultuur and the Amarte Fund.