Edgar Van Asselt Musician - All About Jazz

Updated: May 23, 2023

Born: August 15, 1970

DIY, on-the-fly and versatility are words that come to mind about pianist, composer, producer and cultural entrepreneur Edgar van Asselt. After completing a bachelor in applied economics he dedicated himself to music. Next to his studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague he started gigging, teaching and composing. Later he also started organising his own projects and concerts. Resulting in concert series, tours and a number of well received albums, often in collaboration with other musicians.

As a bandleader and co-leader, pianist, and producer Edgar worked with the likes of David Schnitter, Lucy Woodward, Jorge Vistel, Findley Brothers, Robertinho Silva, Ack van Rooijen, Jorge Rossy and Jeroen Vierdag. With the last two he recorded his new album 'the Gentle Insult'.

The experience of leading his own projects got him a job as a music project leader in Schilderswijk, a large multi-cultural neighbourhood in The Hague. Among the community projects he organised was a project for rappers and beatboxers hosted by British beatboxers Schlomo and MC Zani and a large project that involved a three week artist in residence of Brazilian star percussionist Robertinho Silva.

Edgar also started organising larger projects and festivals, often including educational activities. In the Hague, he joined the worldwide International Jazz Day celebration by organising The Hague International Jazz Days. Two editions headlined Brazilian artists Tania Maria and Ed Motta. .

Edgar Van Asselt Quartet and Quintet: A Smooth Journey

Read "A Smooth Journey" reviewed by Elliott Simon

by Elliott Simon
November 6, 2009

Pianist Edgar van Asselt teams his fine trio with tenor saxophonist David Schnitter and trumpet player Nico Schepers for A Smooth Journey, an album that both swings hard and lovingly embraces. Schnitter is perhaps best known for his stint with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the '70s and as a hard bopper who can carry a session on his own. Here, however he is wonderfully immersed in these van Asselt originals as he converses with the catchy hooks and pairs ...

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Album Review

Dave Schnitter and Edgar van Asselt: Penpals

by Samuel Chell
February 25, 2004

In the late 1970's the Newport Jazz Festival programmed a Carnegie Hall concert featuring the groups of both Art Blakey and Horace Silver along with some all-star alumni guests. The impression of that concert that lingers with me to this day is the passionate and fiery if not show-stopping performance of Blakey's tenor man, David Schnitter. Had the title “Little Giant" not already been bestowed upon Johnny Griffin to distinguish him from “long, tall" Dexter Gordon, it might just as ...