Review The Dark Peak in MEN (CityLife.co.uk).
"Saxophonist Iman Spaargaren, lives in Amsterdam, and is the maverick of the outfit. He crafts lines of surprising shapes with concentrated effort, or approaches a piece from an odd tangent. These idiosyncrasies actually make things more interesting. The control and accuracy of Elbracht's guitar, rooted in bop but with surpassing harmonic freedom, is a wonder, and Dorcik and Barras are far from conventional timekeepers" (Mike Butler, M.E.N., CityLife).
Opening night thursday 1st of march 2012 at the Bimhuis, Amsterdam. Tour to follow.
In 2012 the 14th edition of the Young VIPs Tour will take place, the yearly jazztour for extraordinairy talent with outstanding own repertoire which visits the main Dutch jazzvenues. The double bill this year will be executed by two saxophonists with very different repertoire: Iman Spaargaren and John Dikeman.
Newspaper article on Thelonious4 (in Dutch):
"Famous Tony Miceli at Artishock. A meeting of a 'dutch' jazzquartet (Thelonious4) and a phenominal vibraphone player who 'no longer plays notes, but creates ideas out of a external source', as an American newspaper once wrote" (Klaas Koopman, Gooi- en Eemlander, 31 january 2012).
Review The Dark Peak on the Dutch jazz site Jazzflits.
"All four players strive for detail, but combine it with a more broad-minded approach; intense ensemble playing, but also room for individual ideas. And above all, the four members create ample space for each other to showcase their individual skills." (jazzenzo.nl).
Newspaper article on European Union Quartet(in Dutch):
"Chamber jazz music at the Oude Kerkje. European Jazz with much focus on melody. One should be able to whistle the melodies" (Klaas Koopman, Gooi- en Eemlander, 7 january 2012).
Review The Dark Peak on the Dutch jazz site Jazzenzo.
"All four players strive for detail, but combine it with a more broad-minded approach; intense ensemble playing, but also room for individual ideas. And above all, the four members create ample space for each other to showcase their individual skills." (jazzenzo.nl).
Here you can read my Take Five with Iman Spaargaren on Allaboutjazz.com
Review Flow on the Dutch jazz site Draai om je Oren.
"A promising modern jazz album. Iman's compositions stand for very melodical, light-footed musical lines. Spaargaren solos with great skill: modest and beautifully frased; he lets his emotions run free" (draaiomjeoren.nl).
Review Flow in the Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad.
"On his first solo album Iman Spaargaren emphasizes on contemporary adventure. Flow sounds free and restrained at the same time. Iman Spaargaren Quartet and Septet play eager and energetic, but remain within a melodical spectrum" (JB, Nederlands Dagblad).
Review Flow on the Dutch jazz site Jazzflits.
"Iman is an important player in the Dutch jazzscene and shows to be a strong composer" (Jazzflits).
Review Flow on the Dutch Radio6 site.
"Iman Spaargaren has a bit of a easy going and nonconformistic style of improvisation. He is best when he plays his dreamy contemplative pieces" (RakenDra Smit, NtB, Radio6).
The link above will download the Presskit of Iman Spaargaren Quartet & Septet for you.