New Cool Collective

Founded in Amsterdam in the mid‑1990s, the New Cool Collective project brings together around saxophonist Benjamin Herman a core of musicians from the Dutch jazz scene, quickly expanding into a big‑band version depending on the context. New Cool Collective develops a highly rhythmic jazz that draws on Latin music, afrobeat, funk and soul, with concise arrangements designed for both clubs and large stages. The first concerts were built in Amsterdam’s venues and clubs before New Cool Collective gradually opened up to international tours and major European festivals. The formation alternates between a tight ensemble centered on a direct groove and simple melodic motifs, and a big‑band configuration where writing for brass sections plays a more prominent role. Over the years, New Cool Collective has maintained regular ties with artists from pop, jazz and African music, notably through collaborations with Nigerian drummer Tony Allen and Dutch singer Guus Meeuwis, which extend this hybrid aesthetic between jazz tradition and urban music cultures.