Saskia Laroo, hailed by American public and press at large as "Lady Miles of Europe", is one of the few women trumpet stylists, blowing for more than three decades. Born July 31, 1959 in Amsterdam, she began on trumpet at age 8, never dreaming of becoming a professional musician. That all changed when Saskia, turned 18, after briefly majoring in Mathematics at University of Amsterdam switched her focus to a career in music. She worked extensively in various groups from this point, primarily on upright bass, though eventually, on both bass and trumpet. Saskia Laroo combines today's music by uncontrived romps into new styles, eagerly limned as "nu jazz" or "swingin' body-music"--a vivacious blend of hip-hop, jazz, salsa, funk reggae, and world, that many other artists dare not venture. Her artistry and her groove ring vibrantly and free on her four albums journeying us through the music she has absorbed and plays from heart and soul.
Hi Saskia, thanks for the add. I saw your poster in front of The Esplanade, Singapore, 2 weeks ago, but I already knew your name from Anke Helfrich, who is a good friend of mine. All the best from Germany, Jens.
A new album will hit the streets on March 15. Her name garners respect and admiration. Trumpeter Saskia Laroo, also referred to as a trumpet stylist, has been performing more than three decades on various stages across the globe. We had agreed on an interview for AAJ in 2006, but somehow timetables didn't match up. A year had passed and miss Laroo sent an email apologizing about the delay. In the meantime, I came across a Dutch blog from Koen Scherer, a former orthopedagogy behavioral scientist who now occasionally coaches people in improvisational music. He improvised a piano piece titled "Love" which offered room for a musical dialogue. Laroo came to mind, because she had just written me. The sound of a trumpet would be perfect for the piano piece. I asked her whether she'd like to contribute and improvise a trumpet part. She did.
Scherer then went to see Laroo perform in the cafe Alto in Amsterdam, to thank her for her contribution. He ended up on stage with her, playing the piano, thinking it was a jam session. It wasn't until afterwards when Laroo told him it hadn't been a jam session, but a regular gig with her band Jazzkia. It was the start of a wonderful new friendship.
Since Scherer lives in a city near Laroo's hometown Amsterdam, he was in the position to interview her up close and personal, so he agreed to represent AAJ. continue reading..........
Wishing you a merry christmas and a happy new year. We'll definately have that jam. Hope ya Sunday nights are going well. Be in touch. All the best for 08.
Namaste Saskia, If you are not somewhere lost in music... Hope you can make it to the Melkweg in Amsterdam on the 9th or 10th of October. Hope that music continues to feed your soul. Peace Bluey
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