Special Delivery is a quartet that is constantly developing and exploring new ideas. The acoustic sound of the group is, however always recognizable, extremely dynamic and always searching for balance. Among other characteristics of the group’s compositions is the use of the twelve-tone technique.
Special Delivery has been playing since 1994 with an unchanged line-up. Four driven, like minded musicians who respect each other on stage. This combination leads to a lot of interaction and great playing. Sometimes they seem to go off at different tangents and then suddenly and unexpectedly come back together again. Apparent chaos ending in a structured collective .
What the press have said about Special Delivery
“The kings of the delayed climax”. (Edo Dijksterhuis, NRC)
“...unique phenomenon in the Dutch Jazz World”. (Ruud Meijer, AD)
“...too good to ignore”. (Erik van de Berg, Volkskrant)
“...composers that can put such high tension down on paper are very rare indeed”. (Ruud Meijer, AD)
Special Delivery has been in the limelight since 1994. The group has produced five CDs and has received much critical acclaim from the national press (NRC, AD, Volkskrant). Special Delivery’s repertoire consists of entirely their own work, written by bass player Henk de Ligt and pianist Ed Baatsen. Their fourth CD “Song” came out in 2004. The compositions are all written by Henk de Ligt and were inspired by the American poet Walt Whitman’s poem “Leaves of Grass”. In 2008 they released their fifth cd "Crossings" and in 2011 they have made the DVD "Live at LantaarnVenster".
DVD Live at LantarenVenster. Design and production by Withagen Moving Media.
Watch our new promotional clip on YouTube. A Special Delivery concert is always an experience and a guarantee of an adventurous musical trip with surprising turns, exciting improvisation and original compositions.
About the CD Crossings
“…definitely worth to listen to. My tip: listen several times to it ” (Hessel Fluitman, Jazzflits).
“The CD is full of beautiful music, well thought out, technically excellent, attractive terms repertoire selection, to the Netherlands from a very high level” (Rinus van der Heijden, Jazzenzo).
About a concert at Jazzzolder in Mechelen, Belgium, autumn 2009:
"....memorable concert by a group that we should know very much earlier” (Gi Leoni, Jassepoes.)
“… subtle themes, subtle improvisations, modern rhythmic structures ... .. and brought it all with a lot of infectious fun!” (Gi Leoni, Jassepoes).
About a concert at Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, July 4 2010:
"...It was balanced music without concessions and traditional patterns were ignored" (Amanda Kuyper, NRC)
The latest DVD Live at LantarenVenster is now available. You can order at: henk.specialdelivery@12move.nl
About the DVD Live in LantarenVenster
"The group Special Delivery would have been adored by the Dutch jazz police if they only were an American band. But on contrary, this band, consisting of four Dutch boys has not been embraced at all in its sixteenth anniversary because of "the powers that be". Yet, pianist Ed Baatsen and Bassist Henk de Ligt are among the most original and talented jazz composers in the country. Their instrumental skill, as well as those of reed player Nils van Haften and drummer Wim Kegel, are on a very high level.
The best keep secret of the lowlands? Or the most shameful neglected talent? Or is it the wrong time and the wrong place It has never been clear why this band has not been overloaded with praise and awards. After album Song, completely dedicated to the poem Song of myself by Walt Whitman - how adventurous can a band be? - Special delivery comes out with the DVD Live at Lantaarn/Venster. The DVD shows four musicians, very well pictured by four cameras, who after one and a half decennium make music on stage and merge into one musical giant. The complex, but always organic music crawls under your skin and proves that jazz does not always need beats, rappers or sultry vocals to sound contempory. This is an unique document by an even more unique band, which finally deserves an Edison." (Ruud Meijer, HP)
Erik van de Berg wrote about this in de Volkskrant: “..No dashing solos to an obliging rhythm, but an elegant interwoven role-play of rhythm and melody.."