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Martijn SCHOK (Pays-Bas)

The name Martijn SCHOK (born in 1974 in Arnhem, the Netherlands) is synonymous with boogie woogie. His playing style is instantly recognisable by a massive swing, fat groove and stunning virtuosity. Thanks to his fervent passion for boogie woogie, Martijn takes originals from the long standing colourful boogie woogie tradition and successfully translates them into compelling versions. Martijn was 15 years old when he heard boogie wogie for the firts time. From this moment onwards Martijn remainded captured by the appealing sound ans swing of this style of piano playing. After ten years spent studying classical piano, he gave that up and turned his attention to boogie woogie and piano blues. After meeting the organiser of Amsterdam Blues festival, Martijn was invited to play at this festival in 1992, the youngest Dutch boogie woogie pianist to ever grace its stage. During this debut, just about about every Dutch boogie woogie fan and critic was in the audience, and this 17 year old pianist's performance did not go unnoticed. The festival was the start of a new chapter. Martijn now focused exclusively on boogie woogie. By listening to historical recordings from such greats as Albert AMMONS, Pete JOHNSON and Meade 'lux' LEWIS, Martijn quickly developed into one of the leading boogie woogie pianists in the Netherlands In 1995, Martijn was offered a recording deal and he recorded his first CD, entitled " Boogie Woogie Adventures ". This CD was realeased on the world's biggest boogie woogie label (Oldie Blies). Many more would follow. While studying law and economics at the universities of Utrecht and Amsterdam, Martijn recorded his next three CD's and finetuned his speciality in authentic boogie woogie and piano blues. After graduation, it was time for live gigs. Lots of them. As well as with the trio (drums & acoustic bass joining) he formed in 1994, he gave many concerts in different clubs and festivals. Highlights include his show in New Orleans and during the renowed Dutch North Sea Jazz Festival. Martijn also plays in the Grand Piano Boogie Train Boogie Woogie Theater Show. Nowadays, Martijn belongs to the international top of boogie woogie pianists. He knows exactly haw to translate the pure authentic playing style, which shows the amount of respect he has for the masters Ammons, Johnson and Lewis who helped make this music what it is today. As Martijn puts it : " I consider it's a huge privilege t be able to share my favourite type of music with my audience. And it makes me so happy to see how, 100 years after its birth, boogie woogie still gets people exited and how a growing audience appreciates this fantastic music

website : www.martijnschok.com/

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