Harbour Jazzband, leading in Dutch traditional jazz.

Since the Harbour Jazzband was founded by Jaap van Velzen and Aad de Moree, back in late 1956, a long and successful road has been traveled. Only a few bands show a history that long.

The Harbour Jazzband 2009: From left to right: Flip, Sytze, Matthijs, Raymond, Ludo and Hans.

Quality in music has always been a priority. It was clarinet player Ferdi Meijer, almost from the beginning with the band, who was responsable for this attitude. Good friendship between the members of the band has also contributed to the success. Invitations from all over the world took the band to the USA three times, twice to the Soviet Union, to Canada, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and most of the countries in Europe. During the more than 40 years of existence the band played lots of live radio and television shows. And, of course, you can listen to the band on several recordings.

Next to Ferdi Meijer, who was the band leader for almost 33 years, other famous names have played in the Harbour Jazzband, like former Dutch Swing College bass player Bob van Oven and former DSC guitar and banjo player Arie Ligthart.

Today's line-up shows new band members, but most of them have played allready for a long time in the band. Bandleader and tromboneplayer Flip Robers started his HJB career back in 1978. Hans Verheul and Ludo Deckers joined the band in 1990. Matthijs Willering became the banjo and guitar player in 1991. Cornet player Sytze van Duin has played his horn in the band since 1996 and Raymond van der Hooft plays the drums since 2007.

A band based on friendship and a great love for traditional jazz music. A band where almost all former musicians stayed for many years. A band with a sound of its own, based on old traditions in jazz.

Excellent musicians and great "swing": That's the Harbour Jazzband!