[Dixielandjazz] Robert Veen R.I.P

[Bill Haesler]

Marek Boym wrote:
> Sad news indeed.
> Although Robert Veen said that he was a 'bopper at heart," it luckily didn't show in his playing with the bands Bert mentioned, nor other bands I have heard.  
> I tried to find out his age, but failed.  Anyway, he passed away too soon and too young...

Dear Marek,
Far too young.
Here is a comprehensive biography I found.
Kind regards,
Bill.

Robert Veen
[January 20, 1956 – Enschede], Robert Veen has made a name for himself in the world of traditional jazz and swing. Robert is a musical multitalent: in great demand as a guest solist, arranger, composer and teacher. At the same time he is always on the look-out for the "ideal" saxophone and mouth-piece.
Robert completed his studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague in 1985, specialising in alto saxophone; in his everyday musical practice, however, he plays all saxophones, the clarinet and the flute. As a member of the Tribute Big Band, under the leadership of John Clayton, he played with celebrities like Sarah Vaughan, Harry Edison, Snooky Young, Buddy Tate, Monty Alexander, Milt Jakson and Al Cohn. For years he was a permanent member of Harlem Bound, the Down Town Jazz Band and The New Orleans Syncopators. He has given guest appearances with an impressive number of orchestras, bands and well- known Jazz-greats at home and abroad, like Spiegle Wilcox, Bob van Oven (formerly Dutch Swing College Band) and Mike Goetz. Robert can also be heard regularly playing with Joep Peeters and his Gumbo Gabbers. As a tutor/"professor" and as a solist he belongs to the regular team running the annual Traditional Jazz Workshop in Lenk (Switzerland). Robert is one of the driving forces behind The Beau Hunks, an orchestra which engages a range of changing musicians and is involved both in live performances and recording. Some examples of their CDs are: the film music composed by Leroy Shield for the Laurel and Hardy films, the Suites by Ferde Grofé and the attractively idiosyncratic music of Raymond Scott. The Beau Hunks Saxophone Soctette, an orchestra consisting of 13 musicians, including 9 woodwind instrumentalists, performs regularly in the great concert halls of the Netherlands and Germany. At this moment the Beau Hunks are touring with their "Jimmy Lunceford Project". Several CDs of The Beau Hunks have been produced on the Basta label, some of them with Al Gallodoro and the Metropole Orkest. Also worth mentioning is Robert's membership of the the Aces of Syncopation. Robert is known for his close proximity to and love of Sidney Bechet and the traditional French jazz repertoire.