The Cees Schrama Award

The Cees Schrama Award is a prestigious Dutch prize presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Dutch jazz scene. The award is named after Cees Schrama, an influential Dutch music producer and host who played a key role in promoting jazz music in the Netherlands. The award is given to artists, musicians, organizers, or other individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of jazz in the Netherlands.

Thanks to Cees Schrama’s sister Heleen, who lives in London, the Van der Heide family was able to establish the award. 
Following Schrama’s passing in 2019, Henk Meutgeert took over the role of advisor. The musician from Soest had founded the New Jazz Orchestra in 2019 with pianist Peter Beets. It is a big band consisting of eighteen young musicians who recently graduated from the conservatory and are trying to find their own way in the world of jazz.

Peter Beets, the current leader of the New Jazz Orchestra: “This magnificent jazz evening is one of the most enjoyable performances I know. In just a few years since its founding, the band has already earned a reputation.”