Biography
Saskia Laroo, hailed by American public and press at large as "Lady Miles of Europe", is one of the few women trumpet stylists, blowing for more than three decades. Born July 31, 1959 in Amsterdam, she began on trumpet at age 8, never dreaming of becoming a professional musician. That all changed when Saskia, turned 18, after briefly majoring in Mathematics at University of Amsterdam switched her focus to a career in music. She worked extensively in various groups from this point, primarily on upright bass, though eventually, on both bass and trumpet. Saskia Laroo combines today’s music by uncontrived romps into new styles, eagerly limned as "nu jazz" or "swingin’ body-music"--a vivacious blend of hiphop, jazz, salsa, funk reggae, and world, that many other artists dare not venture. Her artistry and her groove ring vibrantly and free on her four albums journeying us through the music she has absorbed and plays from heart and soul.
Instrumentation
>SASKIA LAROO BAND (dance jazz) 4-10 persons. Basic: trumpet+vocals, keyboard and/or guitar, bass, drums, rap and/or blues/ African vocals. Extra: African and/or Latin percussion, trombone and/or sax and/or deejay/scratcher
>JAZZKIA (pure jazz) 2-7 persons. Small: trumpet+vocals, keyboard and/or guitar. Basic: with bass, drums. Extra: African and/or Latin percussion, trombone and/or sax
>SALSABOP (world jazz)5-8 persons. Basic: trumpet+vocals, keyboard and/or guitar, bass, drums, African and/or Latin percussion/vocals. Extra: trombone and/or sax
>SASKIA 'S SOLO ACT (dance): 2-5 persons. Basic: trumpet+vocals, deejay/scratcher. Extra: rap and/or blues/ African vocals, African and/or Latin percussion, trombone and/or sax.
Discography
*SL0801: Really Jazzy (funkjazz) With Warren Byrd (keyboard, vocals), Frank lacey (trombone, voc), Gene Jackson (drums, voc), Ronald Wright (drums, voc) , rappers Firestorm, Phantom and Stewlocks, Eyesful (beatbox, digeridoo) and more. Liner notes by Hans Dulfer.
*SL9401: It ’s like jazz (acid jazz) Saskia Laroo - trumpet, alto sax, electric & upright bass.
Special guests: Mac Maestro & QF Da Funkee P & Zebulon - rap vocals; Johnny Kelvin & Ghasem Batamuntu - vocals;
Hans Dulfer - tenor sax; Benjamin Herman - alto sax; Rob Gaasterland - keyboards
*SL9801: Bodymusic (dance jazz) Saskia Laroo - trumpet, upright & electric bass
Special guests: Mellow Mac & MC Cocktail & MC Mad Ten - rap vocals; Rosa King & Marita Blijden & Mola Sylla & Ghasem Batamuntu - vocals; Candy Dulfer & Benjamin Herman - alto sax; Ghasem Batamuntu - sopranino sax; Rob Gaasterland & Kino Haitsma - keyboards; Leslie Joseph - electric bass
*SL9901: Jazzkia (pure jazz) Saskia Laroo -trumpet
Albert Sarko - piano; Jos Machtel - upright bass; Martin van Duynhoven - drums
*SL9902: Sunset Eyes 2000 (bebop) Saskia Laroo meets Teddy Edwards featuring Ernie Andrews
Saskia Laroo - trumpet; Teddy Edwards - tenor saxophone; Art Hillery - piano; Wendell Williams - upright bass;
Gerrick King - drums; special guest: Ernie Andrews - vocals
Links
| http://www.saskialaroo.nl |
| Saskia Laroo Band - Supagroova |
| Saskia Laroo Band - Shout/Round Midn |
| Saskia Laroo Band - Bodymusic |
| Saskia Laroo videoclip - Really jazzy |
| Saskia Laroo Band - Jazzparty |