Eric van der Westen
Eric was born on August 29 1963. His first musical steps on guitar and bass-guitar ran along hard rock and new wave trails into jazz and modern improvised music.
His own ensembles always had a contemporary African-Mingus like taste. Hectic sometimes anarchistic arrangements linked to bittersweet ballads emphasize the range of his writing. Even in the quietest simplest songs there's far more than meets the eye.
From halfway the nineties he has used his quintet Quadrant as the main vehicle for the projects he's set up. Projects like “Eyeing P.P.”-a multidisciplinary arts project brought him into less common ground. “Me, Myself and I-Looking At The Music Of Charles Mingus” in 1999 was a homage to his main influence as a bass player and composer. In another one “The World Over” he embedded new computer techniques with large ensemble writing in a 15 piece suite that is a serious political statement at the same time. This was a result of starting to experiment with computerized technique in a new electronic dance-rock band E-Quad which he started in 2001. That has put him back with the electric bass-guitar as well, something he picked up again after being invited to fill in the job with the Groove Troopers, a modern groove and dance oriented Big Band from his “brother in arms” Martin Fondse, one of the few band leaders who can call Eric "my bass player".
On the other hand Eric and his African duo partner Louis Mhlanga have been working in an acoustic setting around the world bringing beautiful Southern African songs in the simplest setting possible.
During his career Eric worked and recorded with numerous highly acclaimed musicians like Misha Mengelberg, Bob Malach, Gary Thomson, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Mal Waldron, Jasper van 't Hof, Tony Lakatos, Mike Manieri, Benny Bailey, Herb Ellis, Winston Mankunku, Jack van Poll, a.o.. He recorded over 40 albums with different bands and artists.
Lineup
- Eric van der Westen
- bass, bass guitar
Discography
- Title:
- The World Over
- Medium:
- Double CD
- Released:
- 2007
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records Services
- Distributor code:
- EWM 75355
- Description:
- It's my magnus opus so far. One I'm really proud of. I combine all sorts of things and create my language out of it. With the help of great musicians great things can be achieved. For me this is one.
- Title:
- For The Time Being
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 2005
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records Services
- Distributor code:
- EWM 52162
- Description:
- 2nd album of the trio. We travelled and played many places. The concept of sound is so good with these guys, it makes it very special to work with them....everytime, everywhere.
- Title:
- Gezz?
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 2004
- Label:
- A Records
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records
- Distributor code:
- SAAL73236
- Description:
- A great concept, great music but after all the trio wasn't working. We chose popsongs and rewrote them into something of our own which worked well. There were different roads to be taken though...
- Title:
- Keeping The Dream
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 2003
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Record Services
- Description:
- The 2nd duo album with Habib Koité as a guest. This was a mix of West and South Africa. What a joy to work with these heroes. Great music and great fun....we should do this again!
- Title:
- The Night And The Daydreamer
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 2002
- Label:
- A Records
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records
- Description:
- The first trio album with Angelo and Ed whom i regard as the very best of Dutch improvised muso's. I got a lot of space in the band and could really make my point musically...
- Title:
- It Is What It Is-Featuring Norma Winstone
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 2001
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records
- Distributor code:
- EWM 75077
- Description:
- We started to work on the album in 1995. It took us 6 years to finish...... Norma is great! She's a fantastic lady to work with and has unbelievable impact. Not our prime moment though....
- Title:
- Rush Hour
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 2001
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records Services
- Distributor code:
- EWM 75106
- Description:
- For me it marks the switch to new grounds because I had the idea that I had to finish this one to be able to move on. Great cinematic songs that are used a lot by others.
- Title:
- Me, Myself And I-Looking At The Music Of Charles Mingus
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 2000
- Label:
- Challenge Records
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records
- Description:
- The first big project I set up. 8 composers wrote a new piece based on a Mingus composition I handed out. Some was great, some not. The album contains the greats...
- Title:
- Naala And More Songs From The Book
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 1999
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records Services
- Distributor code:
- EWM/OMC 75021
- Description:
- Follow up on Diepkloof. Very popular in South Africa. Good songs and extricate writing. It was another step in the same direction though I didn't know at the time...
- Title:
- Song For Nomsa
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 1999
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records Services
- Description:
- First duo album and for me the first time I came into a position that my playing actually meant a lot. My bass sound was always good but here it functions great. I'm really proud of this one....
- Title:
- Diepkloof And Other Songs From The Book
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 1996
- Label:
- EWM Music
- Distributor:
- Challenge Records Services
- Distributor code:
- EWM/HLM 0007
- Description:
- The first album on which I embedded my South African roots with European Improvised music. Melancholy ballads and highlife beats played with a jazzy character.
- Title:
- The Working Dreamer
- Medium:
- CD
- Released:
- 1993
- Label:
- BV Haast
- Distributor:
- BV Haast
- Description:
- My first album featuring an Octet. The first attempt to find my own voice mixing Charles Mingus, Carla Bley and John Carter with whatever I thought necessary. Got me going pretty good....
Welcome guest
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modified: Tuesday, April 3rd 2007
Country
Netherlands
Contact
Eric van der Westensend an email
Postbus 9156
5000 HD TILBURG (NL)
phone +31-(0)13-5321521
fax +31-(0)13-5445332
Availability
Call me...
Promotional material
Available: Photo's, Media, Reviews