Willem Breuker

Dutch saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and bandleader Willem Breuker was probably the single most well-known, prolific, and influential figure in 20th century Dutch music. From his early free jazz days to his role as longtime leader of the successful Willem Breuker Kollektief, he accomplished much in creative music from the 1960s into the 21st century. In addition to performing, Breuker helped instigate changes in government subsidies for jazz and improvised music, he co-founded two important independent Dutch labels -- ICP and BVHaast -- and he unabashedly mixed genres and...