Benjamin Herman

Dutch saxophonist Benjamin Herman entered the world in 1968. After a short-lived interest in percussion, he switched to alto saxophone upon turning twelve. Professional work followed within twelve months, including an appearance at the North Sea Jazz Festival when he reached seventeen. Honors accompanied his 1991 graduation from Hilversum Conservatory; that same year he claimed the Wessel Ilcken Prize. The following year brought a scholarship for study at the Manhattan School of Music with Dick Oatts. Alongside his role as co-leader of a sextet alongside Michiel Borstlap, Herman performed in the Piet Kuiters Quartet and the Fra Fra Big Band. He also headed a quartet featuring guitarist Maarten van der Grinten, issuing Lost Languages and then, in 1999, Get In.