Fra Fra Sound

Home in Amsterdam, world music

Fra Fra Sound is the Amsterdam jazzband that has performed on concert stages in more than 50 countries. Seven master musicians blend different elements from black music into their own sound. Energetic jazz in every possible meaning, with worldly influences from North-American jazz and funk, Surinamese kaseko, kawina and winti, and African rhythms.

With its unique sound the band now is in demand worldwide, such as it’s autumn 2009 tour in the United States.

30 YEARS FRA FRA SOUND

Black Dutch & More (jubilee album)

2010 is Fra Fra Sound’s 30^th anniversary. This led to the album Black Dutch & More (released in March 2010). The musical strength and connection to the music that audiences have accustomed to from Fra Fra Sound are reflected in this album: deep basslines, fresh horn riffs, jazzy cords, Afro-Caribbean and African rhythms.

For this album Fra Fra Sound invited beat-poet Ghasem Batamuntu to improvise on themes like identity, sound, music, melody and society.

Jubilee Concert Bimhuis November 27, 2010

Listen to the jubilee concert in the Bimhuis on the website of Radio 6.

Read an article in Het Parool about the 30^th anniversary of Fra Fra Sound: De Fra Fra Sound is weer thuis.

FRA FRA SOUND IN THE MEDIA

Many articles have been written about Fra Fra Sound: about concerts, projects or cd’s. You can find a selection on this website. See below for interviews with Fra Fra Sound and bandleader Vincent Henar.

On Draaiomjeoren.com (Jazz weblog): Vincent Henar ambassador with double function.

Interview by students: Interview with Vincent Henar.

Line-up Fra Fra Sound

The present formation of Fra Fra Sound has existed since 1998 and its bassist and bandleader Vincent Henar is as solid as a rock. Guitarist Andro Biswane is unique in his ability to incorporate the fingerpicking-technique styles of Africa and the Caribbean with the jazz guitar. Pianist Robin van Geerke is a master in harmonic tensions. Saxophonist Efraïm Trujillo and trumpeter Michael Simon, both experienced arrangers and composers, form such a tight duo they often seem as one person. Drummer Walther Muringen not only provides excellent timing but adds colour to both the soloists and ensembles. Percussionist Carlo Hoop alternates effortlessly between modern and traditional African rhythms. He and Robin van Geerke have been members of the band since the end of the 1980’s.