DASH!

DASH! is an Amsterdam based modern free-funk group spearheaded by award-winning saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Maarten Ornstein. The music of DASH! draws from jazz, blues, funk and contemporary music as well as using a number of ethnic influences. Bassist Alex Oele and drummer Eric Hoeke provide solid yet unpredictable, ever evolving foundations for Ornstein's eclectic style which ranges from Arab quarter-tone maqams to bop and back.
A winner of several awards for outstanding soloist, Maarten Ornstein strives continually to learn new styles and forms and use them in his highly personal compositions. Having studied with great masters such as Harry Sparnaay for bass clarinet, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia for bansuri as well as the great John Ruocco for saxophone, Ornstein has developed a very personal approach to playing and composing. This approach is clearly reflected in the music Ornstein writes for DASH! as well as for other ensembles. Strong rhythmic foundations with a distinct funk and afrobeat flavour propel shifting melodies that are easily remembered yet intricate in their construction.
In concert the group engages in complex interplay, often leading each other into new directions. Stretches of free improvisation are interrupted by tight and hard swinging ensemble work. Audiences always comment on how accesible the music is, despite its complexity. Watching DASH! live is an engaging, almost physical experience as you see the musicians push each other and themselves to the limits, making the group one of Holland's most exciting modern music ensembles.

Band history 2012 - present.
After a break of almost two years, Maarten Ornstein decided it was time to resurrect the group, and started rehearsals with bassist Alex Oele and drummer Eric Hoeke, who was also in the old band. It was quickly agreed the new group should be named DASH! but there the similarities with the old band would end.
The new music composed by Ornstein drew from free jazz and free funk music, Sonny Sharrock, Ornette, James Blood Ulmer being big inspirations. So the new DASH! was created, a free flowing, free funk trio bringing out the best in the musicians.
Numerous concerts were played at festivals and clubs, and the band recorded a new album called Lowpass Heroes. (Release October 2013)
In December 2012 DASH! played a series of concerts called "from Sun Ra to Bollywood Funk" featuring vocalist Ranjana Ghatak, clarinetist Shabaka Hutchings, and trombonist Hilary Jeffery, all three for the UK. Maarten Ornstein composed 10 pieces for this line up, using elements from free jazz, Indian music and everything in between. Audiences loved it, and there were some raving reviews in the Dutch press.

Band history 2005 - 2010
DASH! was started in 2005 by Maarten Ornstein. initially the group was an octet with 4 singers, drums, bass, percussion and saxophone. The group played original music by Ornstein only,; music the press labelled 'Zappa at 78 RPM'. Calling itself an avant-garde funk ensemble, the group developed a signature sound with the four vocalists singing some very virtuoso lines and harmonies, backed by hard swinging grooves, often in odd meters. The lyrics- most of them written by Jeannine Valeriano and Monique Toorop were always highly praised. Some of the material was very humorist, like 'Happy Painting for All', which sported lyrics from a written out Bob Ross episode. The first DASH! concert was so highly anticipated it sold out the Amsterdam Bimhuis. Numerous concerts followed in many countries.
The group released 2 highly acclaimed CD's: DASH! (2006) and Bangalore (2009).
Besides playing concerts, DASH! also initiated a number of cross disciplinary projects.
"X-Mas DASH!" was an alternative mass for Christmas eve, with new Christmas songs and story about Jesus and an included diner (2007).
"Spica", a full featured theatre show featured the group along with actors and a cook in a story roughly based on Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife And Her Lover. The show was played 30+ times in Dutch theatres (2008).
"Brilliant Limbs" was a special show where the music of the group was used in choreography. (2009)
"Zwaar Water" ("Heavy Water") was made in 2007 for the Holland Festival. This was a live radio play project featuring DASH! members alongside many dutch actors performing texts by Dutch writers.
The group also offered two educational projects: "The Modular Cookbook" for advanced music students, and "Koken met Noten", for kids. More info about all these projects can be found on www.dashmusic.net
In 2010 Maarten Ornstein disbanded the group. Two years later DASH! made a new start, with new music, and a new line up.