BIMHUIS, AMSTERDAM: The Buma Boy Edgar Prize is the most prestigious Dutch jazz award: a bronze titled ‘John Coltrane’, which was sculptured by Dutch writer and artist Jan Wolkers. It hung on a rope in the Vecht river, got lost numerous times and was buried by one of its winners in his backyard. The Buma Boy Edgar trophy has been through a lot, but until last Saturday it had never fallen into the hands of a non-musician. At his farewell party at the BIMHUIS last Saturday, departing artistic director Huub van Riel received the trophy from bass player Wilbert de Joode, Buma Boy Edgar Prize winner of 2016. Huub can keep the sculpture for ten days only, on Wednesday December 6 the prize will change hands, and will be awarded to pianist/composer Martin Fondse.

As well as the trophee, Huub has been awarded the Frans Banninck Cocqpenning, a medal for people who have meant a lot to the city of Amsterdam. He received the award for his role within the music scene in Amsterdam. ‘He became an international authority and has made an important contribution to the positioning of Amsterdam as a city of music’, said deputy mayor Simone Kukenheim at the presentation of the award. ‘Conversely, he provided a stepping stone for Dutch musicians to enter the international scene.’

There was lots of music on Huub’s farewell party. BIMHUIS regulars such as Yuri Honing, Han Bennink, Anton Goudsmit, Benjamin Herman, Alexander Hawkins, Kaja Draksler and Ab Baars entered the stage to play the music that has made the BIMHUIS famous internationally for over 40 years. The farewell concert for Huub van Riel has been recorded and will be made available on BIMHUIS Radio soon.

Text: BIMHUIS website
Photo: Paul van Riel