Editorials

Damaris, a theatrical vocalist who performs written or instant poetry. With elements of freestyle, soul music and acting, Damaris combines different disciplines and makes her own definition of what improvisation is. She will let the words float and chase each other and you will follow the journey of her thoughts flying away and bouncing back to create a story.

Westheaven takes you on a journey from R&B to modern jazz and back again, on a journey filled with rich chords and intricate rhythms that groove effortlessly. With positivity at their core, the band creates uplifting atmospheres where connection comes first. Drawing inspiration from artists like Loyle Carner, Robert Glasper, and Yussef Dayes, these music lovers bring you a fresh and distinctive sound.

Kay Slice is a Ghanaian-rooted, Rotterdam-based artist who fuses West African rhythms, afrobeats, highlife, jazzy grooves, and poetic hip hop into an electrifying sound he calls “diaspora highlife.” A skilled storyteller, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist, Kay’s music reflects his mission to connect Africa and the diaspora, weaving his personal journey into a vibrant, soul-liberating experience.

Raven Kangee is a boundary-pushing artist translating life into rap, paintings and creative visions. His music is rooted in hip hop, collaging organic soul and jazz with sample-driven beats, layering in sparks of modern sound while honoring the culture’s foundations. Expression is his way of life; every lyric, idea, and brushstroke carry memory, emotion, and urgency.

Shaynah was born into music, her parents, both professional musicians, have inspired her and instilled in her a love for music. With her heart on her sleeve and her hurt exposed, SHAYNAH tells the relatable stories of a young human getting to know herself.

FONQUE NOUVEAU, the brainchild of the Colombian-Dutch guitarist Ronny deCarlo, is about a fresh & soulful sound, combining the adventure of jazz with the bombastic beat of Hip-Hop, blending raw liveband energy with a futuristic and cinematic sound. FONQUE stands for roots in Funk, Jazz & Soul music, NOUVEAU for a Next Gen sound with influences from contemporary styles and modern production techniques.

FENNE is a soul/jazz artist from Utrecht that transcends the boundaries of just one genre by combining modern neo-soul with jazz influences. “To make every stage feel like a living room”, is her goal. Her first album, Hope, did very well and multiple songs were put in Spotify playlists like “Morning Tea” and “Jazz X-press”. With her EP, Beyond The Wall, FENNE toured with her band and backing vocalists at Popronde (9 shows), and played the songs during FENNE’s episode of NTR’s

SLOJAY is an Utrecht-based artist whose music fuses indie soul, hip-hop, impressionism, and cool jazz. Growing up in the boring suburbs, he built his own reality through music, using his raw, airy voice and warm yet tense piano playing to craft melancholic, soothing atmospheres. Layered over gritty, swinging hip-hop grooves, SLOJAY’s sound carries a message of empowerment, reminding listeners that the power of creation lies in everyone’s hands.

Ruben Croes is an artist based in the Netherlands who expresses his journey & life lessons through recording & performing music. At a young age he started playing the guitar, bass & drums. Inspired by musical family members, he found a deeper meaning within creating music. After his formal studies of music in Rotterdam he gained more experience in the workfield as a musician. Around the year 2014, he started to explore further outlets in production & songwriting.

Following a period of growth and reflection, Jermaine returns as a solo artist under the name MAIN, introducing a fresh sound with his LEEF:TIJD EP - project that reflects on time, maturity, fatherhood, and personal evolution.

The Utrecht jazz/fusion collective ‘MEERKAT’ provides a contemporary and eclecticmix of styles. Their sound is characterised by a with hip-hop and funk imbued rhythm section, where an effect-drenched trumpet provides dreamy vibes. The bandprovides a compelling listening experience with catchy theme melodies and unpredictable improvisations. Live, the band stimulates both the head and the body. Expect exciting drum ’n bass breaks, lyrical solo’s and distinctive compositions.

Siegfried Hart is a dynamic drummer and composer from the sunny island of Aruba, known for blending his Afro-Caribbean roots with the groove of jazz and hip-hop into a sound he calls Crioyo Jazz. Siegfried has played at major festivals like Super Sonic Jazz Festival with his own project and backed various artists at the legendary North Sea Jazz Festival. His music is a joyful explosion of culture, energy, and deep personal storytelling, shaped by his adventurous spirit.

Omara Lua is a singer-songwriter with Surinamese-Dutch roots. Her music is inspired by the Amazon - a warm, mystical sound, like a dreamland where you’re given space to connect with yourself. She sings about love, faith, and introspection. “Everything began with a search - for myself, for home, for what’s real. Music became my way back to Source. What you hear is what I feel: honest, open, straight from the heart.”

UK-born Robyn Florence is a singer, writer, producer, and creator of intimate sonic landscapes. Her voice - an absorbing fusion of soothing serenity and irresistible allure - draws inspiration from soul legends like Sade, Nina Simone, and Lianne La Havas. In 2023, Robyn released her debut EP, Rêverie, a collection exploring the depths of love, the nuances of grief, and the intoxication of infatuation, blurring the lines between reality and reverie.

DUK is a project led by Simão Duque, a jazz trumpet player from Braga (Portugal), nowbased in Amsterdam. His music fuses the worlds of hip-hop and jazz, offering a fresh take on contemporary jazz while drawing inspiration from urban music cultures.

Misto Kay's live session at Hidden Gem Studio captures the synergy between jazz improvisation and dance floor energy, blending club influences with the spontaneity of live musicianship.

Amsterdam’s YOUANDI blends soulful R&B with introspective depth, crafting poetic soundscapes rooted in duality and self-exploration.

Y.O.P.E. is the musical experiment of bassist Joop de Graaf & Luis Possollo. We had a brief chat before their show at Hidden Gem.

Adepts of the Sun, the new project of Piero Conte, merge electronic music with ancient rituals. We had a brief chat before their first show.

FEVER blends live techno with jazz improvisation for deeply human, genre-defying performances. We caught up with Agus Fulka before the show!