Born in 1947, Hollander Jasper van’t Hof is one of the best known jazz pianists and keyboardists in Europe. Van’t Hof first made a name for his work with guitarist Toto Blanke, and went on to form Porkpie with jazz greats Charlie Mariano, Jean-Franois Jenny Clark, and Aldo Romano. Jasper has recorded with such major names as Archie Shepp, Steve Swallow, and Steve Kühn. He is especially noted for his solo piano work and his highly successful world music group Pili Pili. With its Euro-African mix of jazz, rock, and pop, the group has been a mainstay on the World Music scene from its founding in 1985 through the present, and has been a stepping-stone for the careers of such African pop icons as Angélique Kidjo.

Jasper van’t Hof continues his conversations with Malach and Mouzon, as renowned Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous replaces Lee on this fusion-laden Live at Montreux. Mouzon’s U.F.O. is fueled by an-out-of-this-world tenor solo. Jasper’s sensitive rock-infused ballad Pineau once again features Malach at his funky best, along with a introspective, bell-like solo from van’t Hof. With its earie synth/sax duet, Easy Draw amplifies the melancholy, while Kalimba celebrates that African instrument’s folkish sound. Scrabble drives playfully through ascending changes, and the solo piece Hotel De Botel shows off van’t Hof’s acoustic grand piano prowess. Written for Jasper’s wife, Schwester Johanna is an up-tempo pyrotechnical display: everyone solos and all the solos burn. Recorded with a beautifully clear, clean ‘live’ sound, you can tell by their reaction that the crowd was enthralled by the music – now it’s your turn!