Having played over 600 concerts in 20 countries, reed quintet Calefax are in great demand all over the world. The quintet performs standing up, plays some pieces from memory, and always introduces itself and the programme to the audience. Most importantly, the five musicians arrange, recompose and interpret music from eight centuries to suit their unique constellation: from early music to classical and jazz to world premières; in the hands of Calefax it all sounds fresh and new.
Calefax has won a number of prizes, and in recent years has collaborated with artists such as the Zapp String Quartet (NL), pianist Ivo Janssen, mezzo-soprano Cora Burggraaf and jazz singer Denise Jannah. Their discs, published by MDG, have met with consistently enthusiastic reactions: "A sublime sense of timing [...]. In short: here are five souls playing as one. These are ? masters!"
Calefax has recently explored many new territories outside their native Netherlands: Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Italy, Russia, many festivals in the UK, and even has travelled as far as China and the USA.
In addition to concerts, Calefax offer master classes and workshops for (young) amateur musicians and conservatory students. In cooperation with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Calefax developed two new shows: a musical gameshow for three or four classes of school children (presentation by Jeannie Charlene) and a family concert staged by Jetse Batelaan.
In 2004 Calefax started publishing its best arrangements in the CalefaxEDITION.
