Recently Bernard Berkhout has undertaken several new initiatives!!!!
- a CD with the Rosenberg Trio Sept 2007 (choose Soloist)
- a theatre-tour with 4beat6 is under way now (4beat6/agenda)
- a bigband has been formed (Bernard Berkhout's Swing Orchestra)
- the Swingmates are back!!!!


Watch Bernard Berkhout on youtube: first press ESC and then click on the video below .

"When searching the past for the roots of popmusic , Worldwar II works like a smokescreen. It's impossible for most people to look behind it and view the Thirties as they really were: An extremely exciting and turbulent era during which crucial directions were chosen in politics, economics, and culture. As the first pop-idol ever, Benny Goodman was it's democratic icon."  Bernard Berkhout

Bernard Berkhout plays the clarinet from the heart. Every note is the result of strongfelt emotion and exceptional skill. Few clarinettists can reach the listener's heart so directly and can fly through impossibly fast passages with equal ease. This in combination with impeccable timing make Bernard Berkhout what a growing audience classify him as: Unique.  Fred Racké 1995

* * * Airmail Special: "Berkhout's variety of shadings ." from a Getzian breathiness to dirty notes and sudden boppish flares ." and Landesbergen's clear-headed virtuosity aim for something else."
* * * * Royal Flush: "Berkhout's gift is to take a jazz setting of foregone conclusion and resolve it in a wholly unexpected way. Berkhout's playing ." agile, yearning, without a hint of routine ." is matched by Cooper's violin."
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD 1994

Berkhout possesses perfect tone and richness of ideas. The pleasure of playing sparks from every single note and the Swingmates can withstand comparison with any group in this style from anywhere.   Grammy Award Report on CD Fascinating Rhythm 1989