Steven Kamperman

Steven Kamperman (1970) is a composer, bass clarinetist, and drummer. He gained international recognition as co-leader of the Turkish-Dutch band Baraná, with which he toured from Mexico to Siberia between 2002 and 2012. After that, he developed into a composer of large-scale music theatre productions, including three operas—earning awards such as the international YAMAward 2016 for Roodhapje as Best Opera.

In addition to his work as a composer, Kamperman is a highly sought-after improviser. He can be heard in HOT Het Orgel Trio, in his widely acclaimed duo with Finnish pianist Aki Rissanen, and with his Prince Achmed Trio, with which he accompanies films. The Dutch newspaper Trouw recently described him as a “wizard of timbre.”

A common thread in his work is the power of contrasts: between styles, and between primal music and modernity.