New Cool Collective Big Band

On 21 May 2026 New Cool Collective Big Band will play at Patronaat in Haarlem. The Amsterdam ensemble led by saxophonist Benjamin Herman began in the mid‑1990s and easily shifts between a compact lineup and a full big band. In this incarnation the brass takes centre stage, supported by a tight rhythm section. The sound traces influences from Latin, afrobeat, funk and soul, brought together in short, clear arrangements: rolling grooves, riff‑driven themes and concise solos that keep the momentum without fuss.

New Cool Collective built its reputation in Amsterdam clubs and then carried it to festivals and venues abroad. Along the way the group deliberately pushed its boundaries through collaborations, from Nigerian drummer Tony Allen to Dutch singer Guus Meeuwis. That cross‑pollination is audible in the balance between jazz tradition and urban energy. In Haarlem the big‑band approach will be heard in full: sections answering one another, propulsive percussion and a tight ensemble that keeps everything sharp.