Joris Posthumus Group

A Short History of Joris Posthumus and His Cross-Cultural Jazz Journey

Alto saxophonist Joris Posthumus first became deeply connected to the Japanese jazz scene during a Far East tour with the band State of Monc. It was during this tour that he formed a close friendship with Tokyo-based saxophonist Yuichiro Tokuda. This connection led to a significant collaboration, with Joris joining Yuichiro’s band on a tour of Japan, an experience he fondly describes as "fantastic."

In 2015, Joris returned the favour by inviting Yuichiro to perform with him in the Netherlands and Belgium. Their dynamic performances were met with critical acclaim, with online magazine Jazznu praising them as “a bombardment of speed, technique, emotion, and surprise.” These successful concerts further solidified their partnership, and shortly thereafter, Joris travelled back to Japan to record with his "dream team" of Tokyo musicians.

Tokyo's Bad Boys and Expanding Horizons
This collaboration culminated in the release of the album Tokyo’s Bad Boys in September 2016. The album was enthusiastically received and led to an extensive tour in Japan and the Netherlands, including a notable appearance at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2017. Building on this momentum, Joris continued to explore and expand his musical horizons, touring Japan again in 2018 with a diverse group of musicians, including some original members from the Tokyo's Bad Boys album. This tour allowed Joris to forge new connections, experiment with new material, and enrich the group’s sound by incorporating trumpet and trombone in some performances.
The Creation of Jinsei

In 2020, Joris Posthumus recorded his second album, Jinsei, in Nagoya, Japan. This album, whose title means "human life" in Japanese, builds upon the foundation laid by Tokyo's Bad Boys but introduces new layers of emotion, sound, and collaboration. Jinsei is more than just a collection of tracks; it's a musical narrative that celebrates the resilience of life, the joy of music, and the deep bonds of friendship formed through these creative journeys. The album features an expanded lineup, with Yuki Hirate on trumpet and flugelhorn, adding a fresh dynamic to the group’s sound.

Despite being recorded just before the global pandemic, Jinsei captures a sense of hope and positivity, making it a powerful statement in challenging times. The album reflects the shared experiences of the musicians, their connection to the art form, and Joris Posthumus's continued evolution as a composer and bandleader.

Joris Posthumus alto/soprano saxophone, compositions
Yuki Nakae tenor saxophone
Yuki Hirate trumpet/flugelhorn
Yuichiro Tokuda alto/sopranino saxophone
Shunichi Yanagi piano
Satoshi Tokuda double bass
Gaku Hasegawa drums