North Sea Jazz: Han 80 – Han Bennink, Aki Takase, Ben van Gelder & Reinier Baas, ICP Orchestra

Charismatic, quirky, unique – that’s what we say about percussionist Han Bennink (1942), who celebrates his eightieth birthday this year. He surely deserves national treasure status by now because he can look back on an incredible career in which he played all kinds of jazz without ever making concessions. Bennink’s work with the Instant Composers Pool is still a jewel in his crown 55 years on.