Douglas & Van Bavel Jazz Quartet

Rob van Bavel, born on January 16, 1965 in the Netherlands, is a versatile pianist, teacher and composer/arranger who moves between jazz, fusion and classical music. In 1987 he graduated from the Rotterdam Conservatory with the highest possible distinction, an early confirmation of his exceptional talent. 

International recognition soon followed. Among other achievements, he won second prize at the first Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition in Washington D.C., as well as soloist awards in Germany and Belgium. In the Netherlands he was honored with the Wessel Ilcken Award and received an Edison for his CD Rob van Bavel Trio. 

Van Bavel built an impressive career as both sideman and bandleader and can be heard on more than 200 CDs. He released albums such as The Ghost, the King and I and worked with his own ensembles, including the Rob van Bavel Octet and the Rob van Bavel Trio. His playing took him to stages around the world, from Europe to Canada, the United States and Asia. He collaborated with major names in the jazz world, such as Woody Shaw, Randy Brecker, Johnny Griffin and Gary Willis. 

Alongside his performing career, Van Bavel has always devoted himself intensively to teaching. Since 1989 he has been affiliated with various leading conservatories, including the Amsterdam Conservatory, the Royal Conservatory, Codarts, the Prins Claus Conservatory and Fontys. Additionally, he has given masterclasses in South Korea, Liechtenstein, Spain and the Netherlands, among other places, sharing his knowledge and experience with new generations of musicians.

This Dutch Jazz singer has been in the business for more than 35 years and has enjoyed national and international recognition from the beginning of his career.

Winning a Worldwide Online Competition in 2006 as the first European by submitting his cd Lotus Blossom only confirmed this. The prize was a performance at the Eastcoast Jazzfestival in Washington USA. Over the past years he has performed everywhere with a trio or with orchestras. And that started during his studies at the Conservatory. In his first year he was the singer of the Timeless Orchestra, which resulted in many performances.

Ronald is one of the vocal gems of Dutch Jazz. His showmanship and fluid approach to lyrics and improvisation make him a much sought-after entertainer and especially Jazz singer. He is often compared to singers such as Mel Torme and Mark Murphy. Who, together with Sarah Vaughan, are his greatest inspirational heroes. Moreover, he is a respected singing/masterclass/workshop instructor. And he is involved with a number of Conservatories in the Netherlands.

Ronald is proud of the fact that from the beginning of his studies he has been able to work with and/or perform on stage with the best musicians and conductors. Now he is the permanent singer/presenter of The Ramblers and he is working together with Rob van Bavel on their duo project.