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LUC HOUTKAMP

Luc Houtkamp (1953) is a composer/saxophonist who bridges the gap between the worlds of jazz-derived free improvisation and computer-based composition and performance. He has been working equally in electronics and on the saxophone for decades, and his development as a player has been accompanied by an interest in electronic textures.
As a virtuoso saxophonist he has worked extensively in improvised music since 1972, collaborating with numerous musicians and groups all over the world. Since the mid-eighties he has also been designing his own interactive music software, resulting in pieces performed by himself and in collaborations with such musicians and ensembles as George Lewis, Wiek Hijmans, Ernst Reijseger, Le Quan Ninh, Eric Vloeimans, the X-OR duo, LOOS Ensemble and recently his own POW Ensemble.
Houtkamp has given masterclasses, lectures and was composer in residence at several universities.
By establishing his own computer group POW Ensemble in 2001, Houtkamp has created a new platform for exploring and expanding the musical potentials of the computer. POW Ensemble is the ensemble for chamber music of the 21st century, using computers as musical instruments. The musicians make use of improvisation, live processing, electronics as well as acoustic instruments such as oud and saxophones. This way, POW Ensemble represents a new, unique force in electronic music.
Houtkamp has developed several very successful programmes and tours with POW Ensemble, such as a programme around the blues (The Thirteen Bar Blues), the oud (Electric Maqam), with acoustic improvisors (Teaming Up!) tapdancers, writers, and classical musicians.
In January 2005 he was awarded the VPRO/Boy Edgar Prize 2004, the most important jazz prize in The Netherlands.