Get to know Yamaha Artist and Saxophonist Henk van Twillert

How was your first contact with music?

Well, that contact started already by singing the church and  kinder-garden, even before I could even read or write. Also having the privilege born in a family with many musicians created a natural contact with music on an early age.  Most of my brothers, younger and older, where playing music. Guitar, Organ, Piano, Flute, Percussion, and my two sisters Horn and Singing. My first clarinet teacher was Henk de Graaf,  clarinetist of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Besides that played with my brother Willem, he lived in front of our house. Even before I started learning the clarinet my brother Willem took me with him as organ assistant, which created the knowledge of baroque music. After I switched to the saxophone and took lessons from saxophonist and clarinetist Jaques Landa, baritone saxophonist of The Netherlands Saxophone Quartet. The taste for classical music grew within me.

Who are your biggest influences in music?

That is an unlimited list of musicians, but let me start Johann Sebastian Bach, with his live long surprising secrets of counterpoint and harmony. Maestro Bernard Haitink, who gives notes that special timing and color. The ones who are guiding and non stop surprising me with their improvisations, Duke Ellington, Nina Simone and Johnny Hodges. The moment I did my first steps in the country of Fado, Portugal, I started to play with Carlos  do Carmo. He became a ultimate reference for me interpreting world music. Last but not least, my students who kept me during al those year fresh, focused and always widen up my horizon.

How important is music in your life?

When I was young, I was very fond of music and it felt good to listen, play and learn. In that time I wasn’t aware how important music became to me. Now I know that music makes me who and what I am. Music is part of me. The privilege of world - wide teaching and playing with young people sets me in silence, and yes, a dream came through.

Tell us a little about your current projects?

Numerous concerts are planned such as The Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet Back on Stage. As solist with Banda Sinfonica Portugesa with “Mondriaan”, a composition of Johan de Meij, and be present at FISP. But breaking news is be artistic director of the First International Saxophone a festival “Ouverture” at the Musik Hochschule “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi” in Leipzig. 20 - 23  February, 2024.

Can you tell us a little about the material you are using and why you chose Yamaha?

In 1989 together with the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet I had my first Yamaha baritone saxophone in my hands,  it was love at first sight. The moment I played this wonderful saxophone, the instrument was part of me. Imagine the sound in your head is one thing. Realizing the sound is an other thing, you need a partner who respond to you. The sound and color of Yamaha saxophones are responding to me with open arms. Anatomically the saxophone danced with me. Musically I had found my best friend for life.

Any final messages for young musicians?

Study, work and stay focused. Use your imagination and fight for your dreams! Feel and experience the privilege of what you are doing, studying and playing. And don't forget .... Music Makes Friends