Introduction
to the author.
FRANS ELSEN - [pianist - arranger -composer]
Born in The Hague Holland 5-28-'34.
Received his first piano lessons at the age of seven.
ln 1952 he attended the Royal Conservatory; finished in '58.
Became one of the first bebop pianists in Holland.
Had his first professional engagement with Don Byas in '52.
Since than performed with many international jazz stars:
Phil Woods, Woody Shaw, Zoot Sims, Tom Harrell, Stan Getz , Art Farmer, Oliver Nelson, Donald Byrd, Oscar Pettiford, Clark Terry, Jimmy Woode, Ray Nance, Ben Webster, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Bailey, Sahib Shihab, Thad Jones, Mark Murphy, Charlie Mariano, Mel Lewis, Sal Nistico, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Persip, Leo Wright, Bob Berg, Billy Higgins, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes, Dakota Staton, Michael Brecker, Conte Candoli, Slide Hampton, Frank Rosolino, Chet Baker, Lou Donaldson, Joe Henderson, John Marshall and on two piano's with Barry Harris. Wrote arrangements for Dutch radio.
His big band, including 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.
Had the opportunity to reconstruct the famous Miles Davis "Birth of the cool" sessions for Dutch radio in '85.
Was the first in Holland to introduce jazz music into the domain of the classical music schools and conservatories in the seventies. Helped organizing the jazz departments of all main conservatories in the Netherlands.
Is teaching piano, arranging and theory, and has ensemble classes at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague.
Was awarded a "Bird Prize" for "Special Appreciation" at the North Sea Jazz Festival in '91.
From his hand, recently four volumes are issued of a total of ten play-along CD's with theory books on jazz improvising technics.
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.
Performs frequently with his own trio and with the John Marshall-Ferdinand Povel kwintet.