Biography Luc Houtkamp

Born 1953, Den Haag, The Netherlands; composer, alto and tenor saxophones computers, electronics.

Luc Houtkamp (1953) is a composer/saxophonist who bridges the gap between the worlds of jazz-derived free improvisation and computer-based composition and performance. He has been working equally in electronics and on the saxophone for decades, and his development as a player has been accompanied by an interest in electronic textures.

As a virtuoso saxophonist he has worked extensively in improvised music since 1972, collaborating with numerous musicians and groups all over the world. Since the mid-eighties he has also been designing his own interactive music software, resulting in pieces performed by himself and in collaborations with such musicians and ensembles as George Lewis, Wiek Hijmans, Lê Quan Ninh, Peter van Bergen, the X-OR duo, LOOS Ensemble and recently his own POW Ensemble.

By establishing his own computer group POW Ensemble in 2001, Houtkamp has created a new platform for exploring and expanding the musical potentials of the computer. The POW ensemble creates chamber music for the 21st century, using computers as musical instruments: the musicians make use of improvisation, live processing, electronics as well as acoustic instruments such as oud and saxophones. This way, the POW Ensemble represents a new, unique force in electronic music. Houtkamp has developed several very successful programmes and tours with the POW Ensemble, such as a programme around the blues (The Thirteen Bar Blues), the oud (Electric Maqamat), with acoustic improvisors (Teaming Up!) and with a tapdancer (Tap Hop).

Houtkamp has received a four-year grant (2005-2008) from the Dutch ministry of Education and Culture to develop and research electronic music with the POW Ensemble. On 7th January 2005 he was awarded the VPRO/Boy Edgar award, the most prestigious jazz prize in The Netherlands.

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