Biography
During the Second World War the Dutch pianist Dick Willebrandts directed one of Europe’s most accomplished big bands. Once hostilities ended his professional prospects faded, largely on account of the suspicion—possibly unfounded—that he had chosen to cooperate with the Nazi authorities occupying the Netherlands.
Willebrandts first touched the piano in childhood. As a teenager he worked in Copenhagen, then co-directed an ensemble with his brother Philip between 1929 and 1934. He next joined Jack & Louis de Vries’ Internationals for two years beginning in 1935, moved to AVRO Dansorkest from 1937 to 1940, and continued as an accompanist for assorted radio performers until 1942. That year a Rotterdam businessman provided the funds for him to organize a full-sized orchestra.
Willebrandts engaged many of Holland’s finest dance-band players and assembled an ensemble widely regarded as exceptional. The group recorded for Decca and broadcast regularly throughout the occupation. From 1943 onward the musicians were reportedly compelled to air programs directed at Britain over German-controlled transmitters; yet unlike Josef Goebbels’ notorious Charlie & His Orchestra, they performed straight versions of Anglo-American dance music without anti-semitic or propagandistic lyrics.
Germany’s deteriorating military situation forced the orchestra to disband in 1944, and Willebrandts never again fronted a big band. After liberation he worked in radio orchestras and appeared as a soloist. From the late 1950s he led a string ensemble and also performed with trombonist Pi Scheffer’s OK Wobblers, a Dixieland group. A heart attack in 1963 ended his musical career.
Willebrandts first touched the piano in childhood. As a teenager he worked in Copenhagen, then co-directed an ensemble with his brother Philip between 1929 and 1934. He next joined Jack & Louis de Vries’ Internationals for two years beginning in 1935, moved to AVRO Dansorkest from 1937 to 1940, and continued as an accompanist for assorted radio performers until 1942. That year a Rotterdam businessman provided the funds for him to organize a full-sized orchestra.
Willebrandts engaged many of Holland’s finest dance-band players and assembled an ensemble widely regarded as exceptional. The group recorded for Decca and broadcast regularly throughout the occupation. From 1943 onward the musicians were reportedly compelled to air programs directed at Britain over German-controlled transmitters; yet unlike Josef Goebbels’ notorious Charlie & His Orchestra, they performed straight versions of Anglo-American dance music without anti-semitic or propagandistic lyrics.
Germany’s deteriorating military situation forced the orchestra to disband in 1944, and Willebrandts never again fronted a big band. After liberation he worked in radio orchestras and appeared as a soloist. From the late 1950s he led a string ensemble and also performed with trombonist Pi Scheffer’s OK Wobblers, a Dixieland group. A heart attack in 1963 ended his musical career.