Saxophonist and clarinetist Mo van der Does has become one of the Netherlands’ most sought-after young jazz musicians. In the 2019 edition of inJazz, his quartet made a significant impression on stage in Rotterdam. The piece The Motet was composed in the same year for his final exam at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.

Mo describes The Motet as “a seven-piece jazz ensemble with the flexibility of a small group and the power of an orchestra.” His compositions draw inspiration from contemporary jazz (he cites the larger ensembles of Kit Downes and Pablo Held) and the past (such as Mingus), as well as classical music by composers like Ravel and Brahms. “Our goal is to highlight the collective sound while still leaving room for the individual voices of the band members. On stage, we constantly seek to balance composition, orchestration, and improvisation. Expect strong grooves, melancholic passages, and orchestral outbursts.”

A major boost for The Motet came unexpectedly during the pandemic. Mo explains: “I received a composition commission from BIMHUIS to support musicians during the pandemic. This gave me the chance to compose for the band for three months, and then record it at the BIMHUIS. It was an incredible catalyst for the creative process and a wonderful opportunity.”

Musicians:
Mo van der Does – alto saxophone, clarinet, compositions
Jessie Breve – bass clarinet
Alistair Payne – trumpet
Matthias van den Brande – tenor saxophone
Floris Kappeyne – piano
Tijs Klaassen – double bass
Wouter Kühne – drums