HAN BENNINK (BORN IN ZAANDAM NEAR AMSTERDAM IN 1942), BEGAN PLAYING DRUMS WHILE HIS TEENS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HIS FATHER, A CLASSICAL PERCUSSIONIST. HIS FIRST PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT WAS A KITCHEN CHAIR. HENNINK IS BEST-KNOWN AS ONE OF THE PIVOTAL FIGURE IN EARLY EUROPEAN FREE JAZZ AND FREE IMPROVISATION. KNOWN FOR INJECTING SLAPSTICK AND ABSURDIST HUMOR INTO HIS PERFORMANCES, HB THE VIRTUOSO IS A LONG-TIME PARTNER OF PETER BROTZMANN & DEREK BAILEY.
IN THE 60'S, HE BEGAN PLAYING WITH HOMETOWN MUSICIANS. IN 1962 (TO 1969), BENNINK BACKED LOCAL AMERICAN JAZZ GREATS LIKE CECIL TAYLOR, DEXTER GORDON, SONNY ROLLINS AND ERIC DOLPHY ON THEIR VISITS TO HOLLAND. IN 1967, HE FOUNDED WITH MENGELBERG AND WILLEM BREUKER 'THE INSTANT COMPOSER'S POOL" - A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE DUTCH JAZZ AVANT-GARDE. MUCH/LONG BIOGRAPHY/INFOS HERE.
FOR EXAMPLE, BENNINK RECENTLY PLAYED ON A DRUM KIT MADE OF CHEESE, MADE BY THE DUTCH ARTIST WALTER WILLEMS. THE CURRENT EXHIBITION WAS MADE AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN ART. WILLEMS BUILT IT SPECIFICALLY WITH H. BENNINK IN MIND DECLARING : "IT WOULD NOT BE FINISHED UNTIL BENNINK PLAYED IT"
"BENNINK IS LIKE WERNER HERZOG, BUT ON DRUMS."