Introduction
to the author
FRANS ELSEN (pianist - arranger -composer)
Born in The Hague (The Netherlands) 28 May 1934 - † 23 February 2011.
Received his first piano lessons at the age of seven.
ln 1952 he attended the Royal Conservatory; finished in 1958.
Became one of the first bebop pianists in Holland.
Had his first professional engagement with Don Byas in 1952.
Since then has performed with many international jazz stars:
Phil Woods, Woody Shaw, Zoot Sims, Tom Harrel, Stan Getz , Art Farmer, Oliver Nelson, Donald Byrd, Oscar Pettiford, Clark Terry, Jimmy Woody, Ray Nance, Ben Webster, Maynard Fergusson, Benny Baily, Sahib Shihab, Thad Jones, Mark Murphy, Charlie Mariano, Mel Lewis, Sal Nistico, Billy Eckstine, Charly Persip, Leo Write, Bob Berg, Billy Higgins, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes, Dacota Staton, Michael Brecker, Conte Condoli, Slide Hampton, Frank Rossalino, Chet Baker, Lou Donaldson, Joe Henderson, John Marshall and on two piano's with Barry Harris.
Wrote arrangements for Dutch radio.
ln 1990, at the jazz festival in Sophia, he was asked to substitute for pianist Tommy Flanagan
His big band - which included Sal Nistico, Herb Geller, Dusko Gojkovic, Rick Keefer, Ferdinand Povel, Herman Schoonderwalt, Rob Langereis, Wim Overgaauw, Ack van Rooyen, Charlie Mariano, etc. - opened the first North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.
Reconstructed the famous Miles Davis "Birth of the cool" sessions for Dutch radio in 1985.
Was the first in Holland to introduce jazz music into the domain of the classical music schools and conservatories in the seventies. Helped organize the jazz departments of all main conservatories in the Netherlands.
Taught piano, arranging and theory, and held ensemble classes at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague.
Was awarded a "Bird Prize" for "Special Appreciation" at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1991.
Has authored four theory books on jazz improvisation accompanied by ten play-along CDs.
Issued a two-volume method on "Jazz Harmony At The Piano", specifically for beginning and intermediate students; required subject matter at the jazz departments of the conservatories of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague among others.
Performed frequently with his own trio and with the John Marshall-Ferdinand Povel Quintet.