Showtime 20:30

Info & reservations

On Friday May 8th, Tania Kross and Randal Corsen will participate in the official memorial ceremony held to commemorate the victims of the tragic event in Apeldoorn last Queens day. This ceremony will be attended by victims and relatives of victims, all professional and voluntary rescue workers. The Queen and other members of the Royal family will assist this special ceremony.

Randal Corsen group at North Sea Jazz festival with stellar line-up

On July 12 Randal will perform at this year’s edition of the North Sea Jazz festival. The festival will take place in Ahoy, Rotterdam on July 11, 12 & 13.
For this performance the Randal Corsen group will feature a stellar line-up: Roy Hargrove on trumpet, Scott Colley on double bass and Pernell Saturnino on percussion, all featured on Randal’s CD Armonia, joined by Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez on drums.

More info

To order ‘Armonia’

NEW CD!!!!

The songs on the CD are from different composers from Curaçao, covering more than 100 years of musical history and tradition of the island.

The CD will be available soon at AJA records.

Curaçao in concert -
Randal Corsen & Friends at the Concertgebouw Robeco Zomerconcerten

On June 29 Randal will give a concert with his musical friends at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. ‘Curaçao in Concert’ is part of the Robeco Zomerconcerten and will take place in the main concert hall of the Concertgebouw. On this occasion Randal & friends will be joined by guest vocalists Izaline Calister, Francien van Tuinen and Oswin ‘Chin’ Behilia, one of Curaçao’s most important singer-songwriters, who will be flown in from Curaçao especially for the concert.
During this concert Randal will present his latest CD ‘Dulsura di Korsou’.

Later this summer Randal will be back for the second time at the Robeco Zomerconcerten, with two duo concerts with Brazilian vocalist Lilian Vieira. Both concerts will take place on July 25.

Click here for more info and tickets.

Performances online

In December 2007 Randal was one of the soloists during the anniversary concert of Radio Nederland Wereldomroep. The concert took place in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, in presence of Her Royal Highness princess Maxima, and was transmitted on National TV on December 23.

Link to the performances:

• Interview and performance by Randal Corsen & mezzo soprano Tania Kross
• Interview with balaphone player Ali Kieta from Mali, followed by the performance of Randal Corsen trio with
  Ali Kieta

Link to the entire concert

Randal during the documentary filmed on location in Curaçao, transmitted during the anniversary concert on bigscreen.

Myspace

Feel free to visit Randal’s MYSPACE page!
The page contains up to date info on concert dates,
some new pictures, and some sound files of Randal’s
latest CD ‘Armonia’, as well as a live recording of the Randal Corsen trio performing ‘Porto Marie’ at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

You can also check out some videos of Randal on YOUTUBE

Concerts celebrating release Armonia

In October there will be two concerts celebrating this year’s release of Randal’s new CD Armonia.

Randal Corsen's new album Armonia has been getting raving reviews by Dutch and Belgian press. The album was released on the AJA records lable, it features Scott Colley on bass, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Pernell Saturnino on percussion, Roy Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn and Paquito d'Rivera on clarinet and alto sax.
The recording took place last year in New York.

Order the CD here.

Randal Corsen trio on tour in Colombia

With very succesfull concerts on September 10 and 12 at the AJAZZGO festival in Cali, and on September 15 and 16 at the Barranquijazz festival in Barranquilla, the trio performed before an very enthusiastic crowd of at least 14.000 in total.

Randal also gave two clinics in Colombia, one in Cali, and one in Barranquilla.

Randal Corsen piano solo in piano festival Aruba

Alongside these maestros, Randal was also a member of the jury for a piano competition for the youth that took place during the festival.

Randal Corsen piano solo in Curacao

Myspace

Feel free to visit Randal’s MYSPACE page!
The page contains up to date info on concert dates,
some new pictures, and some sound files of Randal’s
latest CD ‘Armonia’, as well as a rare live recording of the Randal Corsen trio performing ‘Porto Marie’ at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

ACTIVITIES LAST SUMMER

Randal Corsen Quartet at the
Caribbean Sea Festival in Aruba
On august 20 and 21 the Randal Corsen Quartet performed in Aruba at the Caribbean Sea festival. Besides Randal Corsen on piano, the outstanding band line-up consisted of Eric Calmes on bass, Enrique Firpi on drums, and Pernell Saturnino on percussion.
The Randal Corsen quartet was one of the headline acts of the festival, which also featured pianist Michel Camilo with his trio, and saxophonist Praful with his band.

Tumbabo in The Hague
at the Binnenhof festival and the Kroonjuwelen
On the 29th of August Randal Corsen’s Antillean bigband Tumbabo performed at the Binnenhof festival in Binnenhof, The Hague. Although is was a chilly late-august evening, Tumbabo once again managed to warm up the festival visitors, getting everybody on their feet.

On July 28 Randal Corsen’s Tumbabo performed during the cultural ceremonies of the Dutch kingdom games. This very successful event, called Kroonjuwelen (crown jewels), took place on the Spui plein in Den Haag. As closing act of the first day Tumbabo captivated the audience and turned Spui plein in one large dancing crowd.
On the second day of the event Randal Corsen performed as a guest with the group from Curacao Serenada.

CD Tineke Postma
Randal is featured on Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma’s new CD 'A Journey that Matters’.
Tineke’s 3rd CD, featuring stellar drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, was recently released, and has been getting fabulous reviews by Dutch press. Other musicians that participated on the CD are bassist Frans van der Hoeven, pianists Rob van Bavel and Marc van Roon a.o.
Randal is featured on the 2 opening tracks of the CD.

This summer Randal performed with the Tineke Posta quartet at the North Sea Jazz festival in Rotterdam, at the Gouvy jazz festival in Belgium and at the Uitmarkt in Amsterdam.
On November 8 the Tineke Postma quartet, with Randal on piano, will perform at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

New cd ‘ARMONIA’ released!

We’re happy to announce the release of Randal Corsen's new album Armonia, recorded in New York in 2006 and featuring an all-star line-up. Randal is accompanied by Scott Colley on bass, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Pernell Saturnino on percussion and special guests Roy Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn and Paquito d'Rivera on clarinet and alto sax.

The recording took place last year at the Systems Two recording studios in Brooklyn. Armonia is Randal’s first jazz release after his award winning CD Evolushon in 2003. The CD is released on the AJA record lable. 

‘With this album I’m continuing my journey into ‘Cura-jazz’, the mix of jazz with music from my island of birth.' Order your CD here.

Randal will present the CD for the first time during a concert with his quintet at Vredenburg in Utrecht, on April 8. Showtime 12:00 and 13:15. The new CD will be available at the concert.

FREE ENTRANCE!!!!

More info

In the last weekend of April the Randal Corsen quartet will give two concerts in the Dutch Antilles, celebrating Randal’s new release ‘Armonia’.
Together with Eric Calmes and Enrique Firpi, Randal will travel to Curaçao where they will be joined once again by the stellar percussionist Pernell Saturnino travelling from New York.

The first concert will take place on Curaçao Friday, April 27 at Brakkeput Meimei.
The other concert takes place the following Saturday, April 28 on Bonaire.

Stay tuned for more info!

Tumbábo is the spectacular 17-piece Antillean big band lead by Randal. This orchestra performs several compositions from the Antillean treasury, re-arranged by Randal into contemporary pieces, mixing typical Antillean rhythms with salsa, jazz, funk and pop. The line-up consists of some of the finest Antillean and latin-jazz vocalists and musicians in The Netherlands.

On Saturday 19^th Randal will perform twice at the festival: with the quartet of saxophonist Tineke Postma and with percussionist Martin Verdonk’s latin-jazz VSOP.

More info on http://www.thehaguejazz.nl/

Randal Corsen’s Tumbábo in concert

On Saturday, February 3rd, Randal’s Antillean bigband Tumbábo will perform at Dr. Anton Philipszaal in The Hague.

Tumbábo is the spectacular Antillean big band lead by Randal. This 17-piece orchestra delivers a celebration of the music and composers of Curaçao. Several compositions from the Caribbean treasury were re-arranged by Randal into contemporary pieces, mixing typical Antillean rhythms with salsa, jazz, funk and pop.

The line-up consists of some of the finest Antillean and latin-jazz vocalists and musicians in The Netherlands

More info and reservations

Tumbábo in action during a previous concert Pictures by Joop Schilperoord

Randal Corsen trio

On February 4, one day after the Tumbábo concert, you can catch the Randal Corsen trio, with Eric Calmes on bass and Enrique Firpi on drums, in concert at Theater De Stoep in Spijkenisse.

The concert will start at 15:30, entrance is free!

Artist in residence at Porgy & Bess:
Randal Corsen ’s latin-bop septet

On Saturday 9th of February, Randal will give his second artist in residence concert at the famous Porgy & Bess jazz club in Terneuzen, featuring an all-star line-up.

Randal Corsen’s Latin Bop septet consists of some of the leading names from the Dutch jazz and Latin-jazz scene: Ruud Breuls on trumpet, Tineke Postma on alto saxophone, Jasper Blom on tenor saxophone, Eric Calmes on bass, Hans van Oosterhout on drums, and Gerardo Rosales on Percussion.

Randal’s first concert as this season’s artist in residence already took place on October 1st. It featured his Antillean jazz quintet consisting of Eric Calmes, Enrique Firpi, Martin Verdonk and Ulrich de Jesus. Read a review of this concert

The last concert of this series will take place on April 15, during the festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Porgy & Bess, and it will feature Randal in a duet with Mezzo soprano Tania Kross.

Stay tuned for more info.

Early 2007 concert dates

Check out the concerts page for some new concert dates for the beginning of 2007.

Randal will be performing in various venues in the Netherlands. He'll perform with his own trio/quintet, with his Antillean bigband 'Tumbabo', with the Tineke Postma Quartet , and with Portugese singer Monica Triga.
He will also perform with his quartet during the concert/readings 'Chopin in Curacao' with writer Jan Brokken.

One of the early highlights of 2007 will most certainly be the concert on the 10th of february with his Latin Bop septet, consisting of some of Holland's finest jazz soloists. This concert is one of three concerts Randal will give at Porgy & Bess in Terneuzen, as a part of his 'artist in residency' at this famous jazzclub. Randal's next 'artist in residency' performance will be in April, during the celebration of the 50th aniversary of Porgy & Bess.

Stay tuned for more details about that performance.

New CD News

Randal was recently in New York, for the mixing and mastering of his new CD. The recording took place at the beginning of this year in the Systems Two recording studios in Brooklyn, NY. The line up consisted of Antonio Sanchez on drums, Scott Colley on bass, Pernell Saturnino on percussion, Paquito D’Rivera on clarinet and alto saxophone, and Roy Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn.

The title of Randal’s upcoming CD is ‘Armonia’, the release is set for the beginning of 2007.

Randal’s previous CD ‘Evolushon’ recently received an outstanding review on www.jazzradio247.com.
Read the review.

Corsen plays Corsen released by Challenge Records

We are very happy to announce the release of the CD ‘Corsen plays Corsen’ by Challenge records, on their Fineline Classical label. (FL72408)
On this CD Randal performs piano compositions by his great-grandfather Joseph Sickman Corsen, one of the most important classical composers/pianists from the island of Curaçao. The CD was originally recorded for and released by the independent label of the SEL Maduro Music Foundation.
Read a review on this CD (Dutch).

You can order this CD on 'bol.com'

Artist in residence

Randal is this season’s artist in residence at the famous
Porgy & Bess jazz club in Terneuzen.
During his artist in residency Randal will give three different concerts. The first one already took place on October 1st. It featured the Randal Corsen group consisting of Eric Calmes, Enrique Firpi, Martin Verdonk and Ulrich de Jesus. Besides the Antillean jazz repertoire Randal also performed some solo classical pieces by his great grandfather and some Antillean folklore music with the band.
Read a review and check out some pictures of the concert on http://www.porgyenbess.nl/

The next concert will take place in February, featuring Randal Corsen’s Latin Bop septet. The lineup consists of some of the leading names from the Dutch jazz and Latin-jazz scene: Ruud Breuls on trumpet, Tineke Postma on alto saxophone, Jasper Blom on tenor saxophone, Eric Calmes on bass, Hans van Oosterhout on drums, and Gerardo Rosales on Percussion.

The last concert will take place in April, during the festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Porgy & Bess.
More info about the lineup to be announced.

Stay tuned for the February/April dates.

Guest soloist on CD ‘No Spang’

Randal is a guest soloist on the CD ‘No Spang’ by Manoush. The group Manoush consists of Surinam vocalist/actress/lyricist Manoushka Zeegelaar Breeveld, bassist Eric Calmes, pianist Robin van Geerke, guitarist Ulrich de Jesus and drummer Walter Muringen.

The CD ‘No Spang’ was produced by Eric Calmes, who is also responsible for most compositions and arrangements, with lyrics in Sranan, Dutch and English by Manoushka.
The music is an interesting mix of Surinam, Antillean, pop, R&B music with jazz.
Randal was invited by Manoushka to feature on one track as a guest soloist.

You can order the CD at info@manoushka.nl

To catch ‘Manoush’ live go to www.beezprodukties.nl for more info.

Recent activities

Randal recently returned from a well deserved vacation on his island of birth Curaçao.
During his stay on the island he contributed to a benefit concert on the cruise ship Freewinds, organized by the Freewinds in cooperation with the Curaçao Jazz Foundation.
Randal performed as a guest soloist with the Freewinds band, also featuring guest vocalist Shirma Rouse from Statia. All funds from the concert went to the music academy on the island, the Akademia di Musika Edgar Palm.

Randal also gave a solo recital in the auditorium of the Bank of the Netherlands Antilles (Central Bank), during the presentation of the book ‘De Kleur van mijn Eiland', a study on Literature from Curaçao written by Aart Broek.

Read an interview (Dutch) with Randal, which appeared in the local newspaper ‘Antilliaans Dagblad’.
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Back in the Netherlands, Randal performed at the Uitmarkt in Amsterdam, with his trio consisting of Eric Calmes and Enrique Firpi, and with the jazz quartet lead by Tineke Postma a very talented saxophone player from the Netherlands, who recently received the International Revelation of the Year award at the Midem in Cannes, France. Randal will perform again with the Tineke Postma quartet on September 16th.
On September 2nd,the Randal Corsen trio performed at the second edition of the Gospel Festival in Amsterdam. Featuring guest vocalist Shirma Rouse, the trio performed a new repertoire, especially arranged by Randal for the occasion, consisting of American and Antillean spirituals and hymns. The lineup of the festival also included famous Gospel artists such as Tonéx, the London Community Choir and Michelle David.

Check out the Concerts page for upcoming concerts, and stay tuned for news about the release of Randal’s upcoming CD, which he recorded this year in New York.

Tania Kross’ Corazon wins Edison Audience Award

Mezzo soprano Tania Kross recently received the prestigious Edison Audience Award for classical music for her debut CD Corazon, on which Randal collaborated as a pianist/arranger!
Some of the other nominees for the audience award were Angela Gheorghiu, Nigel Kennedy and the London Symphony Orchestra.
The Edisons for Classical Music were presented during the Edison Gala which took place on the 31st of May at The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and transmitted live on national TV. Some of the other award winners included pianist Evgeny Kissin and soprano Yessye Norman.

During the gala Tania performed one of the songs featured on her CD, ‘Nonze su Kantika Di Tambu’, arranged for orchestra by Randal. Tania was accompanied by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Roël Calister on percussion and Randal on piano.

Second Edison Award

Corazon is the second Edison award winning CD on which Randal collaborated, and the fourth CD to receive a nomination. Randal previously won the Edison Jazz award for his CD Evolushon in 2004. He was also involved in the two nominated CD’s by Izaline Calister.

Randal Corsen and friends at the Heineken Jazz fest in Bonaire

On Sunday, may 28th, Randal joined music friends Eric Calmes(bass), Lucas van Merwijk(drums) and Gerardo Rosales(percussion) for a concert during the Heineken Jazz festival in Bonaire. This special line-up of the Randal Corsen quartet performed at the Kontiki Beach Club during a beautiful sunset in the evening. Read a review of this concert (Dutch).

Corsen plays Corsen to be released worldwide

We are very happy to announce that soon the CD ‘Corsen plays Corsen’ will be released worldwide. On this CD Randal performs piano compositions by his great-grandfather Joseph Sickman Corsen, one of the most important classical composers/pianists from the island of Curaçao.
The CD was originally recorded for the independent label of the SEL Maduro Music Foundation, and was released for the Dutch Antilles in May of 2005.
The CD will be released on the Fineline Classical Label, and it will contain new artwork. Release date is set for later this year.

Stay tuned for more info.
Read a review on this CD (Dutch).
• To order the cd

Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw featuring
Cor Bakker & Randal Corsen

On march 16th, Randal will perform as a guest soloist with the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.
The concert is part of a series of 3 jazz concerts in the Melkweg, one of Amsterdam’s most important music venues, and will also feature famous pianist Cor Bakker as a guest soloist. Randal previously performed as a guest with the JOC in the Bimhuis and in the Concertgebouw.
The concert will start at 21:00.
More info.

New CD recording in New York

Randal recently recorded his new CD in New York.
The recording took place on January 29th and 30th at the Systems Two recording studios in Brooklyn, NY. The line-up consisted of Scott Colley on double bass, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Pernell Saturnino on percussion, Paquito D’Rivera on clarinet and alto saxophone and Roy Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn.

The CD is scheduled for release later this year.
Stay tuned for more info.

Classical CD
Corsen plays Corsen,
Randal Corsen reflects on the piano-works of Joseph Sickman Corsen (1853-1911) (Independent)

On this CD Randal pays a tribute to his great-grandfather, who was a poet and composer on Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean. The CD features 23 piano solo compositions by Joseph Sickman Corsen, varying from waltzes, mazurkas, polkas, danzas and nocturnes, performed by Randal. The music can be best described as late romantic, with influences from Antillean folklore and Italian opera.
The CD was recorded in Gent in December of 2004, with support from the SEL Music Foundation in Curaçao, who are also responsible for the release. You can order the CD through this site, by sending an email.

• Read an interview with Randal about this CD
• More info on Corsen plays Corsen
• To order the cd

Performing for the Queen

On December 17, 2005, a Governmental Dinner will be offered to the Queen, celebrating her Silver Jubilee. Randal has been invited to perform together with vocalist Francine van Tuinen on this event.
They will interpret “Dream in the Night”, an Antillean composition of Emilio Prudencia originally titled “Sonjo di anochi”. This piece has been adapted by Randal and provided of Lyrics by Francine especially for this occasion.
Randal and Francine will be accompanied by Eric Calmes on bass, Ulrich de Jesus on cuatro and Eric Brigitha on percussion.

Besides the guest of honour, her Majesty Queen Beatrix, this event in the Ridderzaal in den Haag will be attended by several other members of the Royal family, as well as many officials of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

Randal Corsen & Tania Kross in Belgrade

Coming Saturday, December 10th, Randal will be performing with mezzo soprano Tania Kross in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
The allready sold-out classical concert will take place at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, and is organized by the The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Belgrade as part of the International Cultural Policy.

Rumour has it that.....

It is said that Randal will make his debut at the next edition of the Carnival Tumba Contest in Curaçao....

During the annual Tumba Contest, which is scheduled for the first week of February 2006, the theme song for the Curaçao Carnival season will be elected.

Revisit this site regularly to stay up to date, we'll keep you posted...

Summer activities on Curaçao

Randal recently returned to the Netherlands after a well deserved vacation. During his summer stay on Curaçao, he performed at the closing ceremony of the ‘Kingdom Games’ in the Ergilio Hato sport stadium, in presence of queen Beatrix and a crowd of more than 13.000 people.


He also did two sold out benefit classical concerts at the Belle Aliance with mezzo soprano Tania Kross. The concerts produced the sum of NAf.14.460 (Netherlands Antilles Guilders) that was earmarked for various youth projects on the Island.

Furthermore he was a guest speaker at the Rotary Club Willemstad lunch meeting.
Read a review on the lecture for the Rotary club.

Corsen plays Corsen in Aruba

On Wednesday, November 30th, the Aruba International Arts Foundation, together with Unoca, presents a classical concert featuring Randal Corsen. Randal will be interpreting the music of his great-grandfather, Joseph Sickman Corsen, which was recently recorded and released on the cd Corsen plays Corsen.
Also performing on this occasion is Aruba's classical and jazz guitarist Ivan Jansen, who will open the concert. To end of the evening's program Ivan will join Randal for a duet performance.

The concert start at 8 o'clock p.m. at the 'Cas di Cultura' in Oranjestad, Aruba.

During his stay in Aruba Randal will also give two educational school performances on November 28th & 29th.

Duet with Tania Kross on TV

Mezzo soprano Tania Kross invited Randal to perform with her in the VPRO music program 'Vrije Geluiden'.

The filming took place recently at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, and tv show will air on Sunday, December 4, at 11 o'clock on Nederland 3.
Randal and Tania performed some Antillean compositions, arranged by Randal, which are also featured on Tania's recent release 'Corazon'. Randal also performed one of the classical piano compositions by Joseph Sickman Corsen.

Visit the site of 'Vrije Geluiden' for more up to date info.

Van Merwijk Corsen Vierdag trio

In October Randal will join Lucas van Merwijk and Jeroen Vierdag once again for a series of concerts in Dutch theatres. The concerts are part of Tam Tam Double Bill concerts, featuring Drummix and the trio.

	The Van Merwijk Corsen Vierdag trio recently gave two concerts in Cyprus. Left to right: bassist Jeroen Vierdag, drummer Lucas van Merwijk and Randal Corsen.
Picture courtesy of TamTam productions www.lucasvanmerwijk.nl

Randal Corsen Quartet at
North Sea Jazz Festival 2005

On Sunday July 10th Randal will perform with his quartet at the 30th edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival. This year will be the last time the festival is being held at the NCC in The Hague; next year the festival will take place in Ahoy, Rotterdam. The Randal Corsen quartet will feature Eric Calmes on double bass, Martin Verdonk on percussion and Enrique Firpi on Drums.

Tumbabo on NPS Output

On Wednesday night May 18th, NPS aired a part of Randal Corsen’s Tumbabo in concert on Dutch TV.

The concert was filmed during the debut concert of Tumbabo at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2004, for a full crowd of more then 2000 people in the Paul Ackett Paviljoen.

New CD, Classical Music
Tania Kross ‘Corazon’ (Universal Music)

Mezzo soprano Tania Kross (Curaçao, 1976) has been awarded various important prizes. She has been giving recitals in the major concert venues in the world, like Carnegie Hall in New York, Cité de la Musique in Paris, etc.

On her debut CD Tania performs compositions by amongst others Latin American composers Montsalvatge, Villa Lobos, Lecuona, Spanish composer Granados, as well as some folklore songs by Curaçaoan composers Oswin Chin Behilia, Rene Clemencia and Emilio Prudencia.