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Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation

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About Me

In an era of overproduced Pop and electronic DJ superstars, the Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation (RSJF) keeps it real. Taking the music of the sixties as a starting point, they start where others have left. But be careful! The Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation is NOT a retro band in any perspective. Armed with drums, bass, guitar, piano, organs, and a wide range of horns, the Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation has been refining their mix of Ska, Jazz, Rock-Steady, Reggae and Soul over the past seven years.
The idea of forming a Ska-Jazz band started when Arjen Bijleveld and Dimitri 'Dim' Jeltsema met each other again at a party in Rotterdam in 1999, where they spend the evening reviewing their musical past and future. In the early 90's they used to play together in 'The Obnoxious', a band famous at that time for its loud music and attitude. Young as they were, each went their own way. Arjen went into business and Dim ended up playing drums in the uptempo ska band 'Let's Quit', where he met bass player Michael 'MOK' Kragt. After a while, Michael and Dim decided to put honor to the bands name and started their own musical adventure. Finally, all came together and the foundation for the Foundation was created.
Now, over half a decade later, the Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation has recorded an EP single and three fulllength studio albums. Their first albums are released on the Grover Records (Germany). Their second album 'Sunwalk' is recorded by Max Bolleman at his famous Studio 44 in Monster, and is also released in the United States by Megalith Records. Their last album "Motiv Loco" is released on Megalith Records in Europe and the United States. Furthermore, their music appears on various sampler CD's and LP's throughout the world. However, the best way to experience this lubricated off-beat locomotive is live on stage. Let the intricate melodies and harmonies of the horns and the steady grooves of the rhythm section seep into your system. Rocking Ska-Jazz with a rough edge. Check out this Motiv Loco live! The RSJF hits the road pretty constantly and played on big Dutch festivals like Bevrijdingsfestivals, Metropolis, Oerol, Noorderzon and the Parade, as well as major International festivals like Summer Jam, Popkomm, Three Floors of Ska at the Knitting Factory NYC, and many other, festival or venue, varying from big to small, in e.g. The Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary, Denmark, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, United States, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Russia and will most likely play in your neighborhood soon! Don't worry about a language barrier, let the music of the Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation do the talking. . .
Discography:
CD Album 'Motiv Loco' (Megalith Records 2007)
LP 'Motiv Loco' LP vinyl version (Submachine Records 2008)
CD/LP Album 'Sunwalk' (Grover Records / US Megalith Records 2005)
EP/7" 'Black Night - Bright Morning' (Grover Records 2004)
CD/LP 'Shake Your Foundation' (Grover Records 2003)
+ Various Sampler CD's and LP's

OUT NOW: moTiv loCo on vinyl.....


Distributed by Sonic Rendezvous. Please ask your local record shop or place your order at Sonic.nl .
Of course the record will also be available at our live shows. CD junkies visit the Megalith Records Shop , or surf to iTunes and let the RSJF seep into your iPod directly.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 7/7/2005
Band Website: rsjf.nl
Band Members: Arjen Bijleveld - Trombone, Electronics, and Percussion
Joep van Rhijn - Trumpet
Remco Korporaal - Alto and Tenor Sax
Jeroen van Tongeren - Guitar
Merijn vd Wijdeven - Bass
Hidde Wijga - Piano and Organ
Dimitri Jeltsema - Drums

Record Label: Megalith Records (US) / Grover Records (Europe)
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

RSJFs moTiv loCo on vinyl

Finally, its here. mOTiv loCo on the good old vinyl (180 grams orange!). We already concluded from the test pressings that the vinyl sounds a lot warmer and dynamic than the CD version. Probably due t...
Posted by Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:58:00 PST

Back on the road!

It looks like RSJF will be back on the road! Although Arjen is not yet fully recovered, we didn’t forgot to know about one of life’s most vital necessities of throwing a party. Be prepared...
Posted by Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:35:00 PST

NEWSFLASH (March 24, 2006)

Hard work behind the scenes! New songs are created and played at "Ford Varese" (our own rehearsal room). Already included some of them in our set! At the same time we are finishing the Kingston Kitche...
Posted by Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 08:53:00 PST

US mini tour report

After some e-mail traffic, Bucket (Megalith Records, The Toasters) could arrange us a couple of gigs in the States. The Toasters were kicking off the Skabrawl Tour and we could join them on th...
Posted by Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation on Wed, 08 Feb 2006 03:33:00 PST

The Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation is heading for the USA!

The Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation is heading for the USA! To support the Toasters on their tour and to promote our album Sunwalk, which is released in the States under license of Megalith Records...
Posted by Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation on Wed, 04 Jan 2006 10:46:00 PST

"Sunwalk" release in the United States

We kept it a bit of a sectret but it is true and happening: Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundations latest album 'Sunwalk' will be released in the United States by none other than Megalith Records. The officia...
Posted by Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 PST

dr. Ring-Ding & Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation

Kingston Kitchen 809 (KK809) is launched in the summer of 2004 by members of the Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation and Dr. Ring-Ding. KK809 dishes up your favorite ska and soul traditionals! On your marks...
Posted by Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 PST