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Jules van Iperen

Interview

Rozenboom Invites: an evening full of music & story

After last year’s success, Rozenboom Invites returns in February 2026. Classical pianist & composer Jan-Willem Rozenboom (51) is this time not choosing an instrumental colleague, but cabaret artist, actor & songwriter Leo Alkemade. The result: an evening full of music, stories, humour & friendship in the Concertzaal. 
Lotte Schrander - Schellekens & Cleijsen Lotte Schrander - Schellekens & Cleijsen

A mix of music & story

After a successful edition last year with jazz pianist Jeroen van Vliet, Jan-Willem thought: “Who shall I ask this time?” He says: “It is surprising to do something different for once. I mean, I don’t necessarily have to ask a pianist or instrumentalist. So why not Leo? Then we’ll see what we are going to do. We are already working on writing a new song, but for now that remains a surprise.” In addition to new music, a few cycling songs will very likely appear, as well as of course pieces by Bach. These are supported by personal stories. “When Leo starts telling stories, there is always some laughter. It will be a bit of a mix of everything.

“We are already working on writing a new song, but for now that remains a surprise.”

The Tilburgsche Heerenzitting

Jan-Willem & Leo know each other from the Tilburgsche Heerenzitting. About ten years ago, a group of gentlemen, dressed in tuxedos, met on a Sunday afternoon in Poppodium 013 for an afternoon full of entertainment. “Artists and tonpraters performed. There was also good food. Together with Guus Meeuwis I was already part of the Tilburgsche Heerenzitting. Leo joined later. That is how I got to know him better and better.” 

“At a certain point we spent more and more time together. For example, we went out for something to eat and wrote songs for Guus, including hits such as Brabant. In addition, we are both huge cycling fanatics and now and then go out together on the racing bike.” They have previously shared the stage during the music performance In ’t Wiel, which is about this shared hobby.

A special friendship

Jan-Willem describes the bond between him and Leo as very relaxed. “We love the same things, such as Dutch-language music & cycling. When we do something, we go for it 100%. He is also always very interested.”

 

A good example is the trip to a symphony in Rotterdam. Jan-Willem says: “At first I was going to go there with my son. But he called and said that unfortunately he didn’t have time. At the moment I hung up, Leo walked by, so I asked: ‘Are you coming along?’ ‘Yes, fine,’ he answered immediately. That’s how these things go sometimes. For him it was the first time and it is fairly intense classical music, but despite that he thought it was absolutely wonderful.”

“The bond between Leo and me is very relaxed.”

Rozenboom Invites: originated in Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg 

The idea for Rozenboom Invites was born in Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg. Rozenboom gives a classical programme every year, and he prefers to perform once a year in the Concert Hall in Tilburg. “I didn’t want to play the same programme every year. When I talked about it with Gert Gering, music programmer at Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg, he came up with the idea to invite a guest each year. I thought that was a very nice idea. Last year jazz pianist Jeroen van Vliet was the guest. This year it is going to look very different. It will really be a mix of everything: music, story & humour.”

 

Rozenboom Invites can be seen on Thursday 26 February in the Concertzaal at 20:00.
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