Willem Breuker Prijs 2026: Oscar Jan Hoogland

The biennial Willem Breuker Prize is intended for someone who or whose work features characteristics of the groundbreaking innovative practice of Dutch music phenomenon Willem Breuker. Receiving the award this year is improviser, pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Oscar Jan Hoogland, who previously played on our stage in formations such as Minute Made Music, The Ambush Party and the EHBO quartet featuring Ernst Glerum, Han Bennink and Benjamin Herman.

‘For Oscar Jan Hoogland, the world is his playground’, says the jury. ‘He’s a pianist, but also a multi-instrumentalist. He builds instruments that haven’t existed before. An evening with Oscar Jan cannot be predicted. Movement and change are key elements. He knows how to lead you astray, but always ensures that you’ll arrive at a beautiful destination. His musical attitude corresponds with his philosophy of life: all people are equal, no elites, no hierarchies, just cooperation. He’s a master at depicting the tragicomic side of life, he knows how to reach the heart, and he provokes reflection. Also, he can make you laugh (and sometimes cry).’

Willem Breuker (1944-2010) was the founder of the Willem Breuker Kollektief. He was a composer, saxophonist and clarinettist in this orchestra that travelled the world for 35 years. He was the founder of record company BV Haast, a label for all types of music that Breuker took seriously but that were ignored by commercial labels. And for decades he organized the Klap op de Vuurpijl, the annual festival for jazz, improvised and newly composed music.

Program:
Oscar Jan Hoogland & Tim van Dongen: Piano Pendulum
Oscar Jan Hoogland piano, Tim van Dongen piano

Screening: Willem Breuker film

Duo Hoogland Bennink
Oscar Jan Hoogland piano, Han Bennink drums

Performance by students of Hoogland from the mime department of the Academy of Theatre and Dance, Amsterdam.

Oscar Jan Hoogland, Ab Baars, Marcus Warnheim, Ada Rave, Mola Sylla, Semere Welday, Mary Oliver, Harald Austbø, Björk Semey & Jannes Deurvorst
Oscar Jan Hoogland piano/electric clavichord, Ab Baars tenor saxophone/clarinet, Marcus Warnheim alto saxophone/clarinet, Ada Rave tenor saxophone, Mola Sylla vocals/xalam/m’bira, Semere Welday vocals/krar, Mary Oliver violin/viola, Harald Austbø cello, Björk Semey double bass/electric bass, Jannes Deurvorst drums