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Sascha van Esdonk Theaterprodukties [Dutch Language] Click HERE
February 5, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
During the past 25 years I have had the pleasure and, above all, success to work with René Laanen.
René Laanen has assisted us during many projects, in the theatre, in the cultural festival circuit and, above all, from a marketing point of view towards the business community. His great knowledge of music, repertoire, theater in all its facets and especially "people and facts" were and are of great value to us.
His integrity, humility and creativity have enabled many projects despite their complexity and size. Thanks to his perseverance and optimism, we were able to take on and complete wonderful projects.
His knowledge of computer systems and all new multimedia possibilities and often smart solutions are invaluable to us in our complex network of customers within and outside our national borders.
† Sascha van Esdonk - R.I.P. - July 29,1953 - July 27, 2014
Sasch Van Esonk has made the bookings for, among others: Toots Thielemans, Slide Hampton, The Rosenberg Trio, Harry Edison, Johnny Griffin, Clare Fisher, Ann Burton, Jan Akkerman, Rosa King, Edsilia Rombley, Trio Pim Jacobs, and Rita Reys.
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March 23, 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
It has been my genuine pleasure to know Mr. René Laanen for about fifteen years. I do not exaggerate when I say that I have found him to be a rarity in the music business, as well as in the rest of the professional world. His honesty, generosity, and integrity, as well as his dependability, common sense and intelligence are unmatched by anyone I have been associated with in my professional life. He has impeccable manners and taste, and all of the foregoing qualities are reflected in his immaculate playing, regardless of the type of music he encounters, and in his personality, which is always an asset to any organization, large or small.
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Although I am now retired, my experience in positions of authority, both in the music business and later, in Las Vegas casinos, has made me acutely aware of just how valuable a person René Laanen would be to any prospective employer. He is also multi-lingual, which adds to his adaptability to unique situations, and is easily able to fit in to any organization, musical or otherwise.
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Mr. Laanen also has extensive computer skills, as demonstrated in his operation of a comprehensive array of musically informative web sites that are highly superior to what one generally encounters on the Internet. Anyone looking for a versatile employee with superb qualifications has found the right person in Mr. René Laanen.
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If I can be of any further assistance, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Cliff Stark
Former Lead Trombonist Orchestra Frank Sinatra, Las Vegas
www.jazzmasters.nl/cliff_stark.htm
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February 7, 2005
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To Whom It May Concern:
I have known René Laanen for about 11 years. In this time he has shown me through constantly working in his profession, and performing with me, that he has a beautifully big dark and centered sound, and fine sense of rhythm.
He is a marvelous colleague to have around, and is a totally a positive force. He started his international reputation with performing and contracting musicians for Shirley Bassey, Madeline Bell, and Rita Coolidge. His international reputation has continued through associations with trombonists around the world. If you need any other information about René, please contact me:
Sincerely,
David Taylor
Bass Trombonist, New York
www.davetaylor.net
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February 11, 2005
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To Whom It May Concern:
René Laanen is a trombonist of the highest international standard. I have known him for many years and first met him (1980) in South Africa where in my capacity as musical director, I was lucky to be able to book him for my recordings with The South African Broadcasting Corporation and live performances at the Pretoria State Theater.
His intonation and technique are impeccable, his sound warm and supportive as is his personality and attitude towards his work. Rene` was always an absolutely vital player to my orchestras due to his exceptional talent and command of his instrument and also his concentration, thorough professionalism and dedication to the job in hand. If you need any other information about René, please contact me:
Sincerely,
Howard Wilkinson (AKA Howard Morgan)
United Kingdom
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The Highlight Jazz Orchestra CD
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 "This has to rank with my all time favorite recordings."
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Using superlatives too freely sometimes leaves you nowhere to go when the exceptional happens. Well, I am in trouble! As a collector I go to some length to acquire new recordings.
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Well I found the HJO, I paid my money and waited, expecting something that was O.K., play it once and file it! That is not how it happened. I lost a morning's work, I took half an hour off a car journey, playing the CD put 10 miles an hour on my top speed.
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The music is taken from a well recorded radio broadcast, it is live. There are sudden cutoffs at the ends of some tracks, they don't intrude on the music, remember this is a demo' CD! Bob Florence once told me that there must be joy in the music. This CD overdoses on joy, on talent on excitement. The arrangement selection is wonderful.
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The staff arranger is Rob Pronk for heaven's sake. Peter Herbolzheimer chips in with SILHOUETTE and a version of CHEROKEE that should have a government health warning. The soloists are breath-taking. I should have been there. This has to rank with my all time favorite recordings. I know I will play it again and again.
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† John Killoch - R.I.P.
All About Jazz
United Kingdom"
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The Highlight Jazz Orchestra CD
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"...The CD sounds fantastic !!"
I have already passed it around to several people.
Bart sounds incredible. The charts are great. I loved Cherokee!
Alan Kaplan
Trombonist, Los Angeles
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The Highlight Jazz Orchestra CD
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"Your CD is WONDERFUL !!"
I can't thank you enough René !!
Your bass trombone playing sounds great. Love your sound at the end of "Spring is a Little Late" (Actually, the more I am able to hear a bass trombone in a song, the more I like the song. You can never have enough of that low sound!) And Bart's not too shabby a player either. The band sounds very tight and I think your song selections and arrangements are excellent. You were right, this does not sound like a demo CD!! Please keep me informed of any future work of you and your band. Again, thanks so much. Take care and best wishes!
Mike Schmidt
Trombonist, Trombone Choir - Atlanta, Georgia
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The Highlight Jazz Orchestra CD
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"Very excellent CD - I'm very impressed !!"
The ensemble parts are crisp, clear and perfectly in tune. You guys must rehearse and perform a great deal. The jazz playing by Bart van Lier is superb! His originality, technique, ideas and command of the trombone are very refreshing in this age of so many pretenders especially here in The States. All of the jazz is wonderful as is the orchestra all together. It doesn't sound like a demo at all. If it were for sale here, I would buy it just as is. The CD will be #1 in my CD holder where everyone can see it and ask about it. I will always treasure it. Congratulations René to you, and all of the members of the Highlight Jazz Orchestra for a very musical and interesting CD.
Cliff Stark
Former Lead trombonist, Las Vegas, USA
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The Highlight Jazz Orchestra CD
"THIS DEMO CD IS A REAL BLAST"
Great arrangements ! Outstanding ensemble sync ! Brilliant feature Trombone solos !
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In the last few days I have listened to this great CD. Very innovative arrangements. Inspired Big Band performances, with excellent Big Band "sync". The Featured trombone soloist Bart van Lier performs with sure- footed authority. Very impressive! Chops galore. The High "G" at the end of cut #3 screams, and blew my mind. Congratulations to you René, you should be proud of this very successful project.
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Dear René, Many thanks for sharing this experience with me.
† J.J. Johnson - R.I.P.
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