Biography
MICHAELVAREKAMP, raised in Europe with his roots in Trinidad, started playing the trumpet at the age of 10. When heFra Fra Sound
After this period he plays extensively around the world with several groups including the Surinam band Fra Fra Sound. The participation in this band was an artistic breakthrough for Michael. The music of Fra Fra connected jazz with Caribbean and African roots. He played
with this group at festivals, clubs and concerts in South Africa, Great Brittan
, Cuba, Tunisia, Malta, Mali, Burkina Fasso, The Baltics and all over of Europe.Educational
While being on tour he regularly gives workshops and guest lectures. He regularly contributes to film, radio and TV productions. Besides playing the trumpet Michael sings and composes for the various bands and he developed the educational program Little Louis for kids.Performed with…
During his career, Michael toured worldwide to places such as Australia, South Africa, Great Britannia, Cuba, Tunisia, Malta, Israel, United States, Mali, Burkinafasso, the Baltics and extensively through Eur
During his career, Michael toured worldwide to places such as Australia, South Africa, Great Britannia, Cuba, Tunisia, Malta, Israel, United States, Mali, Burkinafasso, the Baltics and extensively through Europe.
He performed with a lot of great musicians from various ‘spheres’ like Lalo Shifrin, David Murray, Lester Bowie, Don Braden, Dee Daniels, Philip Harper, Toumani Diabate, Carlton Holmes, Ralph Peterson, Pete & Conte Candoli, Wendell Brunious, Deborah Brown, Philip Harper, Joris Teepe, John Engels, Benjamin Herman, Scott Hamilton, M. Nahadr, Andy Ninvalle, Denise Jannah, Frits Landesbergen, Harry Emmery, Peter Beets, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Deborah J. Carter, Fra Fra Sound & Big Band, Michiel Borstlap, Brian Lynch and many, many more.Pure Jazz The Movement
He performed with a lot of great musicians from various ‘spheres’ like Lalo Shifrin, David Murray, Lester Bowie, Don Braden, Dee Daniels, Philip Harper, Toumani Diabate, Carlton Holmes, Ralph Peterson, Pete & Conte Candoli, Wendell Brunious, Deborah Brown, Philip Harper, Joris Teepe, John Engels, Benjamin Herman, Scott Hamilton, M. Nahadr, Andy Ninvalle, Denise Jannah, Frits Landesbergen, Harry Emmery, Peter Beets, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Deborah J. Carter, Fra Fra Sound & Big Band, Michiel Borstlap, Brian Lynch and many, many more.Pure Jazz The Movement
Since 2006 Michael is Artistic Director of the organization Pure Jazz The Movement which includes an annual festival and about 30 concerts a year.
Pure Jazz welcomes artists from all over the world and invited artists from Argentina, Cuba, Senegal, United States, Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria there were performances by musicians such as Terence Bl
Pure Jazz welcomes artists from all over the world and invited artists from Argentina, Cuba, Senegal, United States, Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria there were performances by musicians such as Terence Blanchard, Curtis Fuller, Javon Jackson, Jeremy Pelt, Gustavo Mozzi, Rashid Ali and The 21st Century Band.
Highlights were the special programs Jazz & Film, Jazz & Dance, Jazz & Poetry and the world première of Terence Blanchard’s requiem for Katrina.Currently In October 2001 Michael received in Kobe Japan the Kobe Award for outstanding young talent and he won the prestigious Edison Award with FraFra. Besides doing special tribute concerts for Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis, Michael is currently working as a bandleader with The New Heritage Band and is co-leading different groups such as the Amsterdam Jazz Club, Urban Roots and The Trumpack with
Philip Harper