History and highlights of the Harbour Jazzband

1956 - 1970

When the Harbour Jazzband existed for only 5 years, the first great trip abroad was taken in 1962 the band travelled by ship to the USA. In 1963 this tour was repeated. In 1964 en 1966 the band won first prices at jazz festivals in The Hague, Comblain-la-Tour and Loosdrecht. The first long playing album "Trad Session" was recorded in 1967. In 1968 the band made their first big tour in Germany. Again, first prizes at jazz festivals in Viersen and Dinslaken. In 1970 the second album was released: "Just Hot".

1970 - 1980

First prize at the jazz festival in Duinkerken. Start of a two week radio show with the Dutch Broadcast. In 1972 the band participated in a great Gershwin Memorial Concert dnd played some compositions together with the Promanade Orkest. In 1973 the band toured Denmark and Germany. In 1975 Arie Ligthart, former guitar and banjo player of the famous Dutch Swing College Band, became a member of the Harbour Jazzband, in which he stayed for over 16 years. In 1976 the band travelled to Canada and America. The band performed on the North Sea Jazz festival in 1976, 1977 and 1980, this last year a live recording was made. In 1978 the band travelled to Japan just after Flip Robers joined.

1980 - 1990

Two major tours took the band in 1981 to Scotland and Indonesia. England followed in 1982 and 1983. Also in 1983 the band made a second concert tour in the former DDR, followed by the first 3-week concert tour in de Soviet Union (1984). In 1986 the fifth LP was made: "Good News". Autumn 1987 the second 3-week tour in the Soviet Union was made. Directly after this trip, leader and clarinet player Ferdi Meijer had to leave the band for health problems. Arie Ligthart took over as bandleader for the next 3 years. Shortly after Ferdi left, some other members left too.

Since 1990

In 1991 there has been a new line up. In the meantime the band made the first recording for a CD: "Friends with Pleasure." In 1996 a second CD followed: "Harbour Jazzband 40 years". In 1997 the band toured Sweden for the first time. Plans for a special Louis Armstrong tribute CD recording are getting in shape. In 1998 highlights for the band were tours to Germany, concerts in the 'Grote Doelen' in Rotterdam and the world famous North Sea Jazz Festival in Scheveningen. And there will be more highlights to follow!

Since the Harbour Jazzband was founded by Ferdi Meijer, back in late 1956, a long and successful road has been travelled. Only a few bands show a history that long.

Quality in music has always been a high priority. 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 Meyer, who was the band leader for almost 33 years, other famous names have played in the Harbour Jazzband. 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 already 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 drums since 2007.

In 1997 the first tour in Sweden is made. In 1998 the band plays the North Sea Jazz Festival again. The next year the Harbour Jazzband is invited to the famous Danisch Jazzfestival on the isle of Femø and later that year follows a tour in the German state of Brandenburg.