Twenty years ago, saxophonist Rolf Delfos and drummer Pascal Vermeer got the idea of ​​releasing an album with music by the renowned South African composer Dollar Brand (now called Abdullah Ibrahim), titled Brandage. As a tribute to his beautiful infectious works, two tours followed.
Since then both Vermeer and Delfos have made several trips to South Africa and it’s music still is a great source of inspiration. Recently Delfos had the opportunity to arrange 14 pieces for prominent South African jazz musicians as part of the Pretoria Jazz Festival.
Now in 2023, purely out of musical desire, the project is being revived with new repertoire, new arrangements and new musicians; with bassist Eric van der Westen (one of the first double bassists from the Netherlands to collaborate with South African musicians) and a young guard consisting of Koen Smits (trumpet), Jeroen Verberne (trombone) and Rein Godefroy (piano).

Rolf Delfos – alto and tenor sax, arrangements
Koen Smits – trumpet
Jeroen Verberne – trombone
Rein Godefroy – piano
Eric van der Westen – double bass
Pascal Vermeer – drums

Photo by Tess Hofland