“…an impressive number of shifting dynamics – ethereal and powerful.”
The Buzz Bros Band from Holland plays an original brand of jazz; powerful, lyrical and above all melodic but with a funky edge. Brothers Marnix Busstra and Berthil Busstra founded the band in 2001 and years of touring have honed the band’s tight groove. Mid-tempo jazz funk may begin to describe the music but it is more colorful and layered than that.
Berthil Busstra’s piano playing was impressive and his Fender Rhodes was used to add texture. Drummer Chris Strik(on right) brushes-only approach to his kit gives the rhythm section, alongside bassist Frans Van Geest, a distinctive feel. There is some strength in Strik’s playing, and he delighted the crowd when he discarded the brushes to play with his hands. Perhaps his drum sponsors urged him to do so as he gets through about eighty sets of brushes a year.
Guitarist Marnix Busstra peppered the set with Scofield-esque solos, dripping with funk, and turned his hand to Irish bouzouki on “Little Boy on the Hill,” lending a vaguely Indian air to an impressive number of shifting dynamics – ethereal and powerful. Much to the pleasure of the crowd the band played a tender arrangement of a well-know Malaysian children’s song and closed a crowd-pleasing set with “Well Done,” a tune with a great hook which was a vehicle for Marnix Busstra’s sinuous guitar lines.