'Bonsaika Suite': a suite written and played for the bonsaist, also known as bonsaika. These are the people who cut, shape, bend, prune and care for the same tree for years. In short: people who know from the start that it will take a long time, and who start anyway. With this project, Ruben Drenth wants to introduce his audience to the beauty of bonsai and the attention it requires, but can also bring about. On the other hand, he also wants to show that you can mindfully fly off the handle and seek out the sharp edges. It's not just peace and quiet that counts! Together with double bassist Daniël Muskitta, he plays this suite in its entirety and takes you into the sound world of bonsaiists, full of improvisation, Philicorda organ, synthesizer and ambient soundscapes.
Tip: for fans of Mort Garson's Plantasia
About Ruben: Trumpeter Ruben Drenth (1997) maneuvers his way through catchy, sing-along melodies and abrasive, brutal solos. In his playing he is always looking for an honest, sincere sound with a good dose of risk.With the Ruben Drenth Trio he graduated from the HKU in 2018 with a program full of raw energy and improvisation. In 2023 he released an album under the name "How To Gather Moss" on which he transformed the music of The Rolling Stones into compelling and tearing improvisations.
He also toured with Amsterdam Sinfonietta and Thomas Oliemans, in a duo with Bert van den Brink, with Dion Nijland's quintet DEON, with Egon Kracht & The Troupe, in the band of folk singer Robin Borneman, The Tambles and with The Jerry Hormone Ego Trip. With this last band he played at Oerol, Into The Great Wide Open and Eurosonic Noorderslag, among others.
