Play and enjoy a jam session in one of the most beautiful locations in Amsterdam! Led by the amazing band SMANDEM., we'll bring new music to life!
Amsterdam's SMANDEM. proves that an incredible set of skills and an open-minded approach blur genre distinctions into pure energy. Inspired by the likes of Herbie Hancock, Christian Scott and Wayne Shorter, as well as Travis Scott and Drake, the four-friend collective produces a sound deeply rooted in jazz traditions, but does not adhere to style boundaries or formal etiquette. They strive for progress and explore ways to merge their delicate skills with contemporary popular music. With a strong friendship at the core, their dynamic live shows accelerate effortlessly from lush harmonies to colorful blends of tight rhythms and fierce improvisations. In collaboration with Herbie Hancock flutist Elena Pinderhughes (USA) and Dutch talent Pink Oculus, they released their debut EP called 'Self-Titled'. early 2021 on Super-Sonic Records.
SMANDEM. - Aaron Bouwman (bass), David Nino van der Grinten (keyboards), Rafael Devante Sinay (guitar) and Kick Woudstra (drums) - first met while studying at the Amsterdam Conservatory. They soon discovered that they shared a similar perspective and were destined to play together. Their amazing synergy was even picked up by Kelly Coker, Dean of New York's famous New School of Jazz and Contemporary: "There's never a feeling of trying too hard and that made it an absolute joy to listen to you. You guys don't sound like the Weather Report, but feel like the Weather Report".
With support from several local Amsterdam platforms such as Super-Sonic Jazz and the Keep An Eye Foundation, SMANDEM. embarks on a journey to become a frontrunner in contemporary music. A philosophy that describes the foundations of their music and personalities is: "Tradition is a living thing. Not to be confused with history, which is a passive concept. To be alive means to develop, evolve and adapt and that is exactly what we try to do with our music."