Around the turn of the millennium, the 19-piece New Cool Collective Big Band made waves with its legendary Big Mondays. During these monthly club nights at venues such as Rotown (Rotterdam), and Meander, Panama and Sugarfactory (Amsterdam), the group delivered its signature danceable blend of jazz, soul, cumbia and African music. These packed nights also served as a testing ground for new compositions, which eventually led to the albums Big (1997) and Big Band LIVE (2007).
The band is intentionally composed of musicians from a wide range of backgrounds and scenes, a diversity reflected in their sound. The core New Cool Collective features saxophonist Benjamin Herman, drummer Joost Kroon, percussionists Frank van Dok and Jos de Haas, pianist Willem Friede, bassist Leslie Lopez, guitarist Rory Ronde and trumpeter David Rockefeller. The Big Band expands this lineup with 11 additional top-tier musicians.
