Benjamin Herman Trio

In this Pocket Concert, saxophonist Benjamin Herman is joined by bassist Thomas Pol and drummer, composer and producer Jimmi Jo Hueting for an intimate trio performance that brings together three generations of musical experience, curiosity and improvisational energy.

Benjamin Herman has been one of the leading figures in Dutch jazz for more than three decades. As the founder of New Cool Collective and through countless collaborations and projects, he has developed a highly personal sound that moves effortlessly between jazz, punk, soul, rock and experimental music. In 2024, Herman received the prestigious Edison Jazz Oeuvre Award for his extensive discography of over fifty albums with New Cool Collective and as a solo artist.

Thomas Pol is one of the most versatile bass players of his generation. After studying at Codarts in Rotterdam, he spent two years at the University of New Orleans on scholarships including a Fulbright, immersing himself in the city’s rich jazz tradition. He has performed with musicians including Ellis Marsalis, Gregory Porter, Nicholas Payton and Stanton Moore. Since 2017, he has been Herman’s regular bassist. Pol also works in classical music and is a member of ensembles such as Pynarello. His latest release is Here At Home, released in 2025.

Jimmi Jo Hueting is much more than a drummer. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and Codarts Rotterdam, he won the Erasmus Jazz Award in 2015. He is active as a drummer, composer and producer, working across jazz, contemporary music, film and theatre. He is also the driving force behind his own project Jo Goes Hunting, where jazz influences meet electronic music, hip-hop and psychedelic pop.

The trio’s latest major release is The Tokyo Sessions, released in 2026 and produced by Hueting. Recorded in Tokyo, the album is Benjamin’s homage to Japan’s music culture in all it’s facets
Enjoy this close-up performance by three cutting edge musicians, recorded for Pocket Concerts.

SETLIST
Sugii (B. Herman, J.J. Hueting)
Dede (B. Herman)
Kwela P’Kwana (M. Mengelberg) *
Kazegafuku (B. Herman, J.J. Hueting)
Wasshoi (B. Herman, J.J. Hueting)

* Digging the Archives
For this edition of Digging the Archives, we revisit Dutch jazz icon Misha Mengelberg and his composition “Kwela P’Kwana,” dedicated to the legendary South African tenor saxophonist Dudu Pukwana. A playful, rhythmically adventurous piece, it reflects Mengelberg’s fascination with African musical traditions and improvisation. This fresh interpretation connects the rich heritage of Dutch jazz with today’s musicians.

MUSICIANS
Benjamin Herman – alto saxophone
Thomas Pol – bass
Jimmi Jo Hueting – drums

POCKET CONCERTS TEAM
Production Pocket Concerts: Arjan Went
Production injazz: Co de Kloet
Digging the Archives: Frank Jochemsen (NJA)
Sound: Wijnand de Groot
Camera: Arnaud Heymel (Heymel Visual)
Camera assistant / editing: Anne Reijman Hinze
Camera assistant: Yara Heijmel (AllYouMedia)
Editing: Arnaud Heymel (Heymel Visual)
Design: Marcel van den Broek (Oak)
Host: Ide van Gelder

THANKS
Mark van Schaick (Buma Cultuur), Toni De Toni (injazz), Patrick Heeregrave (injazz), Astrid Schenk (worldofjazz.nl), Niklaas Hoekstra, Sem de Jongh (Concertzender), Theater Kikker Utrecht

Pocket Concerts is made possible by Worldofjazz.nl, injazz, het Nederlands Jazz Archief, Podiumkunst.net and Buma Cultuur.