Since 1995, Dutch jazz trumpeter and composer Gerard Kleijn has led a very wide variety of his own groups and has made 12 CD’s as a (co)bandleader, all very well received by the international press and audiences. He played at festivals and venues throughout Europe, Syria, Mexico, Russia and the United States.
He co-leads his latest band Wild Man Conspiracy with the Argentine guitarist Guillermo Celano and Dutch drummer Joost Kesselaar (Knots 2014 and Short Stories 2016). The CD’s where released on the New York label Red Piano Records. In 2016 and 2018 tenorsaxophoneplayer Chris Cheek (New York)joined Wild Man Conspiracy for concerts in Europe. In addition Gerard can regularly be seen as side man in a wide variety of ensembles and big bands, including a regular gig at the Bimhuis every two months with the the Konrad Koselleck Big Band.
Gerard studied jazz trumpet at Conservatories in Hilversum and Rotterdam. In 2004 he studied in New York. In addition to his work as trumpeter, he is a dedicated trumpet teacher, workshop leader and bigband conductor . He was working as a guest teacher and/or big band conductor at e.g. the conservatories of Rotterdam, Enschede, Alkmaar, Bremen, Damascus and Mexico City.
European jazz has had its on voice for years and Gerard Kleijn’s Group is a fine example! He is one of the Netherlands finest trumpet performers and composers. Jazzreview (USA)
Gerard has made four CD’s with the Gerard Kleijn Group (Big Moves (1998), Love Quotes (2001), New World (2003) and (Le Flirt de Satie (2007). He made pure chamber-jazz with J.S. Bach as his source of inspiration with Bach Reflections (To B or not to B 2014). From 2007 till 2017 he was the co-leader of the 12-piece Clazz Ensemble with which he played new compositions especially written for the ensemble. The Clazz Ensemble recorded three cd’s.(Adventures Live at the Bimhuis, Delta Suite and Federico on Broadway).
Selected discography as a (co)leader(bold) and sideman:
Dutch Jazz Orchestra – Music of Rod Madna 1994
Music of Duke Ellington direceted by Gunter Schuller – 1995
Gerard Kleijn’s Big Moves feat. Fay Claassen -Big Moves – 1997
Gerard Kleijn Group – Love Quotes – 2002
Gerard Kleijn Group – New World – 2003
Cobla La Principal de Amsterdam – Solo 2004
Tobias Sudhoff feat. Charlie Mariano, Benjamin Herman – Polarlichter – 2004
Cobla La Principal de Amsterdam & Egidius 4tet – El Libre Vermell 2005
Cobla La Principal de Amsterdam – Les Indes galantes 2006
Amsterdam Roma Jazz Quartet – The Long Journey – 2006
Gerard Kleijn Group – Le Flirt de Satie – 2007
Kento Su Nova feat. Ken Norris – Nu Life 2007
Holland Bigband – Happy House 2007
Cobla La Principal de Amsterdam – Live in Cataluny 2008
Clazz Ensemble – Adventures Live at the Bimhuis – 2009
Clazz Ensemble – Delta Suite – 2010
Holland Bigband – Live 2010
Konrad Koselleck Bigband- My Favourite Sings 2010
Clazz Ensemble & Frank Carlberg – Federico on Broadway – 2012
Holland Bigband 10 years – 2013
Starklinneman – Awake – 2013
Bach Reflections – To B or Not To B – 2013
Wild Man Conspiracy – Knots – 2014
Konrad Koselleck Bigband & Edwin Rutten – Young Persons guide to the Jazzorchestra 2016
Pijama and The Petterson – Expedition to planet Melu – 2016 (Mexico)
Wild Man Conspiracy – Short Stories – 2017
Wild Man Conspiracy feat. Chris Cheek – Live At The Bimhuis – 2018
Rodrigo Faina Change Ensemble – Different Roots – RPR – 2020 Listen
Undercurrent Orchestra – Everything Seems Different – Zennez Records – 2021