Joseph Haydn

In his childhood Floriaan Wempe was very much exposed to jazz and classical music and already at the age of 5 he asked for Charlie Parker and John Coltrane CDs to be played. It was inevitable for him to start playing the saxophone at the age of 9, after changing teeth.

After a few years of classical tuition he started focusing on jazz. Only 12 years old, he was awarded a second prize in the national Princess Christina Jazz Competition. In the next few years he was part of a band of promising young players, coached by Robert Veen, bringing him to many stages, such as the North Sea Jazz Festival. This formation, “The New Arrivals”, won the 1st prize in the Princess Christina Jazz Competition as well as the Alumni Award.

In May 2011 Floriaan graduated cum laude from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where he studied with John Ruocco, Toon Roos and Rolf Delfos. Over the past few years he has established himself as a soloist in various settings and as a sideman with e.g. New Cool Collective and The Royal Conservatory Big Band. As a soloist he was awarded the Leidse Jazz Award 2010 and nominated for the prestigious Deloitte Jazz Award 2010.

In 2012 Floriaan will release his debut CD presenting his original compositions as well as an international stellar cast, consisting of Karel Boehlee, Jos Machtel and Willie Jones III. Despite his young age Floriaan already shared the stage with a lot of other greats, such as Benjamin Herman, Peter Beets, Rik Mol, Juraj Stanik, Joost van Schaik, Frank McComb, Slide Hampton, Joe Cohn, Peter Erskine, Owen Hart jr., Reuben Rogers and Gregory Hutchinson. Venues he played at include the Bimhuis, the North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague Jazz Festival, Haarlem Jazz Festival and Utrecht Jazz Festival.