Wolter Wierbos

Renowned jazz trombonist Wolter Wierbos has been active in the Dutch creative jazz music scene since 1979, best known, perhaps, as a member of the ICP Orchestra, despite the number of bands he's played in. Skilled equally (and abundantly) in both technical ability and improvisational creativity, Wierbos is one of the most highly regarded trombonists in modern jazz. Born in 1957 in a rural town in the Netherlands, his earliest influence was the local fanfare orchestra, which included much of his family. Wierbos started out on the cornet and soon switched over to flügelhorn and was asked to join the local band before reaching his teens. Initially trained by the community adult musicians (who had no formal training), Wierbos also received some private lessons. He eventually became first trumpet in Holsten's fanfare, which won first place in a national competition. Wierbos switched his focus to the trombone when he was 17, because, as he told New Dutch Swing author Kevin Whitehead, the instrument "looked good, and the trombones walk in front" in the town's orchestra. Wierbos took to the instrument and continued to play even after going away to Groningen to study social geography. While there, he first collaborated with pianist Harry de Wit and formed a duo with another trombonist. He was inspired by his first encounter with multiphonics, which he heard in trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff's playing, and upon learning to move his mouthpiece around (to better certain notes) from attending a concert that included trombonist Ray Anderson. Wierbos finally decided to make an attempt at becoming a full-time musician, giving himself five years to do so, before returning to his previous career studies. Right around 1979, Wierbos joined Cumulus, a group that included de Wit,...