Photography by Vincent Baake (2025)
Fee Aaij (20) is an upcoming Dutch (jazz)pianist, composer and history of art student.
She writes and performs music both in band and solo setting that could be defined as
Melancholic Punkjazz and is deeply inspired by her archetypes David Bowie, Frederic
Chopin and Thelonious Monk. On May 16th she releases her long-awaited conceptual
album ‘I Am The Joker’ on ZenneZ Records.
On stage Fee likes to imagine herself as a troubadour rather than a ‘jazz musician’ and
firmly believes in the quote: "Art is what separates us form the animals". Therefore, her dark songs carry a rebellious spirit that show fervent characters being strong but fragile. She reinforces this realm by subtle use of conceptualism and visual aesthetics on and off stage.
It was the church organ that introduced little Fee to music and in a way the dramatic
quality of this instrument has never left her. However, in her teenage years the tables
turned towards rock and a bit later towards jazz. At the age of 15 she started studying at conservatory in Arnhem thanks to the guidance of her first jazz teacher Hans Kwakkernaat. The last couple of years she has been tutored by Jeroen van Vliet, Robert
Jan Vermeulen, Angelo Verploegen, Dion Nijland, and Michiel Braam among others.
Besides her own music Fee is also part of 'Norman Samuels Trio' and 'The Starpeople'.
FULL ALBUM RELEASE 16th OF MAY!
Watching them from afar, The Joker laughs silently…
On the 16th of May the long-awaited conceptual album ‘I Am The Joker’ by Dutch jazz artist Fee Aaij and her 4tet releases on ZenneZ Records! The last couple of years Fee has already performed this concept with band as well as solo at unique venues such as De Roode Bioscoop Amsterdam and Théâtre de l’Ile Saint-Louis Paris.
‘I Am The Joker’ presents Melancholic Punkjazz in the shape of a strong but fragile character called The Joker. The music draws life from the creativity of David Bowie, the energy of McCoy Tyner, the sadness of Frederic Chopin and the quirkiness of Thelonious Monk. However, it is the dark and moody aesthetic of the players that will most definitely make this show grab your heart and squeeze it.
1. I am The Joker part I
2. Solitary Soul
3. RED
4. Emerald
5. The Last Lament
6. I am The Joker part II
Fee Aaij (piano and compositions)
Pauline Timmerbeil (bassguitar)
Daniel Louis (drums)
Huub Schoolkate (electric guitar 2023)
Bene Müller (electric guitar 2025)
'I Am The Joker' is supported by Stroomversneller (Cultuur Academy), Music Support Gelderland (Poppunt Gelderland), Het Cultuurfonds and X Amarte.
Photography by Alina Timmerbeil (2023)
Design by Petra Louis (2025)
Previous highlights
8/3/2023 JIGSAW, International Women's Day Brebl Nijmegen
28/5/2023 The Starpeople, Thiemeloods Nijmegen
29/9/2023 The Starpeople, EP release 'Happening #1'
17/10/2023 The Starpeople jamsession with Mete Erker, Paradox Tilburg
28/10/2023 I Am The Joker (Fee Aaij), Amarte Studio Concert x De Roode Bioscoop
5/11/2023 I Am The Joker (Fee Aaij), Doesburg Jazz Festival
26/1/2024 Fee Aaij solo piano, CAPS LOCK Arnhem Uitnacht 2024
5/2/2024 Norman Samuels Trio, Science Café Nijmegen
5/3/2024 I Am The Joker live at De Roode Bioscoop Amsterdam video release by X Amarte
28/3/2024 Norman Samuels Trio, De Basis Nijmegen
29/3/2024 Fee Aaij solo, International Piano Day Libertas Arnhem
8/5/2024 Norman Samuels Trio Jazzbites Jamsession, Brebl Nijmegen
25/5/2024 Fee Aaij solo x AVA Trio, Brebl Nijmegen
3/10/2024 Norman Samuels Trio, Libertas Arnhem
30/10/2024 Norman Samuels Trio, Touchstone Utrecht
5/11/2024 JIGSAW blackhole, ArtEZ University of the Arts Arnhem
12/11/2024 Norman Samuels Trio, Café Classen Arnhem
4/1/2025 Norman Samuels Trio, Rabo Open Stage Tivoli Vredenburg Utrecht
6/1/2025 Nelson Jazz Monday with Mete Erker, Nelson Arnhem
30/1/2025 Norman Samuels Trio, CODC Nijmegen
8/2/2025 Fee Aaij solo - Songs of The Joker, Théâtre de l'île Saint Louis Paris
14/3/2025 I Am The Joker (Fee Aaij 4tet), single release 'RED' on ZenneZ Records
30/3/2025 Fee Aaij solo - Songs of The Joker, randprogramma Piano Biënnale 2025 Musis Stadstheater Arnhem
31/3/2025 Trio with Mete Erker and Leander Seekings, Nelson Bar Arnhem
5/4/2025 Fee Aaij solo - Songs of The Joker, randprogramma Piano Biënnale 2025 De Vereeniging Nijmegen
6/4/2025 Norman Samuels Trio, Gigant Apeldoorn
11/4 I Am The Joker (Fee Aaij 4tet),single release 'Solitary Soul' on ZenneZ Records
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Upcoming
30/4/2025 MonkeyJam, Café Bosch Arnhem
10/5/2025 I Am The Joker (Fee Aaij 4tet), Conservatorium Talent Award Podium Azijnfabriek 's-Hertogenbosch
16/5/2025 I Am The Joker (Fee Aaij 4tet), album release on ZenneZ Records
17/5/2025 I Am The Joker (Fee Aaij 4tet), releaseshow Brebl Nijmegen
9/6/2025 The Starpeople, Music Meeting Festival Nijmegen
22/6/2025 MonkeyJam, Park Open Festival 2025 Sonsbeek Park Arnhem
Photography by Vincent Baake (2025)
Copyright © Fee Aaij
