Get to know the man & his music
"Everything is rhythm"
Vernon Chatlein in his own words. About his relationship to rhythm and music, his sources of inspiration, how he sees his role as a musician, a composer and an ambassador for music and culture from Curaçao and the Caribbean region.
(video Sandesh Bhugaloo & Sophie Conin voor Jazznu)
Voices from Letters: Zikinzá
The theatrical musical Voices from Letters is an ode to my ancestors, to the Curaçoan music, languages, traditions and culture. Zinkinzá, is a collection of stories, songs and anecdotes recorded in Curaçao by Dutch missionary and anthropologist Paul Brenneker and Curaçoan writer and poet “Ompi” Elis Juliana in the 1950's and 60's and classified by UNESCO as 'Memory of the World'.
Zinkinzá forms the starting point and is the inspiration for this storytelling musical and visual performance.
(video Nacor Martina & Vernon Chatlein)
Musical & theatrical collaborations
Koffie
Papia – The birth of a language - by Vanta
Papia – The birth of a language - by Vanta
The Amsterdam based band Koffie has a new take on Afrobeat. Inspired by this Nigerian style, this eight-piece band mixes endless beats with swoops of improvisation. Their live shows have the dynamic of a house party and when they play, DJ's become obsolete.
Tenorsax | Itai Weissman
Altsax | Floris van de Vlugt
Bas | Daniël Schotsborg
Gitaar | Valentijn Bannier
Keys | Niels Broos
Drums | Abe van der Woude
Percussion | Vernon Chatlein
Percussion | Steven Brezet
Papia – The birth of a language - by Vanta
Papia – The birth of a language - by Vanta
Papia – The birth of a language - by Vanta
Papia is a musical, poetic and visual performance about the origins of Papiamento. Papia means to talk in Papiamento. The history of this language is intriguing, because it originated at a time when people from different parts of the world came to live in Curaçao. Papiamento is proof that language can transcend all social and cultural differences.
Vanta - music & spoken-word
Vernon Chatlein
Amber Nijman
Juan-Carlos Goilo
Special collaboration with illustrator Hedy Tjin (Trouw, VPRO en Het Parool)
Woiski vs. Woiski - Orkater & Bijlmer Parktheater
Woiski vs. Woiski - Orkater & Bijlmer Parktheater
Woiski vs. Woiski - Orkater & Bijlmer Parktheater
In the 1930s, Max Woiski Sr. (1911-1981) was one of the first Surinamese to come to the Netherlands by boat. He is best known for his nightclub La Cubana and his cheerful music. Woiski vs Woiski shows that his beautiful life however, only takes place outside his own home.
woiski sr. | Mike Libanon
max Woiski jr. | Michiel Blankwaardt
alma Braaf | Manoushka Zeegelaar Breeveld
percussion | Vernon Chatlein
piano | Sophie Anglionin
guitar, storytelling | Gery Mendes
(foto Ben van Duim)
Symbiosis - with Randal Corsen
Woiski vs. Woiski - Orkater & Bijlmer Parktheater
Woiski vs. Woiski - Orkater & Bijlmer Parktheater
Symbiosis is partly jazz, partly an homage to Curaçao. A seminal album by one of Curaçao's most accomplished jazz piano player, the album also regrouped some of the finest musicians from the Dutch music scene, who have since grown their own respective careers.
piano | Randal Corsen
percussion | Vernon Chatlein
bass | Glenn Gaddum Jr
drums | Mark Schilders