Summit between Dutch guitar pride and his great example from the US.

Peter Bernstein guitar, Jesse van Ruller guitar

It’s rare that two jazz guitarists of this calibre form a duo. Both received their blessing from legendary predecessors such as Jim Hall. Both are revered by jazz guitarists worldwide, not just for their brilliant technique, but also for of their drive to explore new directions in their improvisations. They sporadically performed as a duo and now they will play together on our stage for the first time.

Peter Bernstein on Jesse van Ruller: ‘I first met Jesse around 1995, after he won the Thelonious Monk competition. I got to play with him when I visited the school he taught at in Hilversum a few years later. I’ve been lucky enough to play some gigs with him over the years, some just duo, some as part of a concert with more guitar players. We did a little tour of Italy in 2018 as part of guitarist Rale Micic’s tribute project to Jim Hall. Jesse has been one of my favorite players ever since I first heard him and it’s always a pleasure and an inspiration to play with him.’

Jesse van Ruller on Peter Bernstein: ‘Around 1993 or 94, the first time I came to NYC as a young guitarist and student of jazz, I went into the East Village, walked around and heard faint jazz music. I followed the sound and entered a club called Visiones. The sound was that of a guitar-organ-drums trio and it was the most swinging, original, soulful guitar playing I had ever heard. And it came from someone who couldn’t be much older than me. It was Peter’s trio with Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart. That experience brought the music that I only knew from a distance, belonging to an older generation, forward in time and made it relevant to me. Clearly I have been an admirer of Peter’s playing since. Peter is the kind of improviser I try to be as well: impressing by not trying to impress anyone, always chasing melodic development, not relying on prepared material and being in the moment.’

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