Ben van Gelder & Ella Zirina
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Ben van Gelder – Alto Saxophone with Vision, Tradition, and Imagination
Ben van Gelder (born 1988) is internationally regarded as an authority on the alto saxophone. Both peers and critics praise his unique sound, lyricism, and personal approach to composition. Van Gelder’s music is firmly rooted in jazz tradition but also embraces other musical genres and disciplines. Visual art, in particular, plays a prominent role in his musical life.
At seventeen, Van Gelder moved to New York, where he collaborated and studied with some of the world’s most forward-thinking artists. There, he formed a quintet, recorded three albums under his own name, and toured Europe, Japan, and the USA.
Artistic depth and multidisciplinary connection
During his time in New York, Van Gelder built strong ties with the Jazz Gallery, a platform that promotes artistic excellence and is known as a springboard for talent. This collaboration resulted in the album Among Verticals, inspired by a painting by abstractionist František Kupka. The album received worldwide critical acclaim. The music was arranged for and performed by, among others, the Metropole Orkest, The Swiss Jazz Orchestra, and the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.
Composer, bandleader, and educator
Van Gelder has won multiple music awards and recently received his first composition commission from the BIMHUIS. In addition to leading his own quartet, he regularly performs with guitarist Reinier Baas. Together, they released the albums SMASH HITS (live with the Metropole Orkest) and Mokum in Hi-Fi.
Van Gelder currently lives in the Netherlands and teaches at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
Ella Zirinar – Guitarist with a Poetic Sound
At Proeflokaal ’t Kelkje, Ben van Gelder performs with Ella Zirina (born 1997), an Amsterdam-based jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader with a passion for the various textures and tones of her instrument. Her compositions are characterized by melodic improvisations.
From Latvia to the Dutch Jazz Scene
After studying piano in her native Latvia until the age of 17, Ella switched to guitar. She channeled her broad musical interests — from Alexander Scriabin to Joni Mitchell, and from Led Zeppelin to Bill Evans, Jim Hall, and Wes Montgomery. She decided to move to the Netherlands to study jazz guitar in Amsterdam.
Outstanding education and international career
In 2021 (BA) and 2023 (MA), Ella graduated with highest honors from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where she studied under Jesse van Ruller, Reinier Baas, Maarten van der Grinten, and Martijn van Iterson. She now shares her expertise as a guitar instructor at the jazz department of the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and has also given workshops at conservatories abroad.
With her own trio, she has performed at leading venues and festivals such as BIMHUIS, North Sea Jazz Festival 2024, Oslo Jazz Festival, Riga Ritmi Jazz Festival, Bird’s Eye Jazz Club, and many more. Besides working with Ben van Gelder, she has collaborated with artists including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joey Baron, Tineke Postma, Jamie Peet, Jesse van Ruller, Reinier Baas, Pablo Held, Yuri Honing, and others.
Line Up
Ella Zirina
Guitar
Ben van Gelder
Alt Saxophone
