The Grachtenfestival and the Keep an Eye Foundation are joining forces for a spectacular series of concerts: ‘The Jazz Gems’. In this series, four “Gems” are selected, and these top talents from the highest rank are given complete freedom to put together their program. Expect new compositions, challenging collaborations, and spectacular locations. These are the Jazz Gems!

Yannick Hiwat is a unique musician in every aspect. Not only because he uses his violin in styles where this is not always self-evident, but also because he effortlessly combines his mastery of classical music with a deep-rooted feeling for hip-hop, soul and jazz. Another unique fact about him is that he plays a 7-string mezzo violin, which is the only one in the world. His influences and collaborations are never bound to one genre, as a classical violinist he has performed with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra as well as Chineke! Orchestra, with his quartet he can be heard on the album ‘We Like it Here’ by the Jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy and he wrote, played and produced the strings for albums by Hip Hop legend Pete Rock.

In 2013 he was named ‘Duvel Vibes Soul & Jazz talent’. He was also an artist in residence at De Doelen and Het Concertgebouw and wrote the North Sea Jazz composition assignment in 2023.

In addition to violinist Yannick Hiwat, the quintet consists of saxophonist Alessandro Russo, drummer Niek de Bruijn, bass guitarist Bill Scott Mookhoek and Alexander van Popta on the keyboards.