Joan Fort Trio & Ben van Gelder

About Joan

Joan Fort (1997) is a Spanish guitarist and composer based in Amsterdam (NL). He holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Guitar from the prestigious Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Temple University in Philadelphia.

Throughout his career, Joan has had the privilege of performing and collaborating with renowned musicians such as Dick Oatts, Jeremy Pelt, Vincent Herring, Grant Stewart, Jorge Rossy, Bill McHenry, Nick Hempton, Benjamin Herman, Michael Weiss, Jasper Blom, Rita Payés, and Virginia MacDonald.

One of his co-led projects, The Dam Jawn, has released two critically acclaimed albums: Master St (2023) and Forward (2024), both featuring the legendary New York saxophonist Dick Oatts. The first album earned a nomination for the Edison Jazz Award. In 2024, Joan performed with The Dam Jawn at the North Sea Jazz Festival, joined by the renowned trumpeter Jeremy Pelt as a special guest.

In March 2026, Joan released his second album as a leader, Hangin' In, recorded in New York City with a stellar lineup of world-class musicians: Grant Stewart on tenor sax, Michael Weiss on piano, David Wong on bass, and Aaron Kimmel on drums.

Joan has performed at prestigious festivals and venues worldwide, including the North Sea Jazz Festival (NL), Chris’ Jazz Café (USA), Bimhuis (NL), the Voll-Damm International Barcelona Jazz Festival (SP), and Windmills (IN).

About Ben
Ben van Gelder (1988) received his bachelor's degree in jazz saxophone from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2010 and his master's degree in 2012. He also studied at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music with Lee Konitz. He performs worldwide in various ensembles and has played and recorded with artists such as David Binney, Ambrose Akinmusire, Nasheet Waits, Mark Turner, Aaron Parks, John Escreet, Ben Street, Thomas Morgan, and Rodney Green. His compositions have been arranged for large ensembles such as the Metropole Orchestra and the Swiss Jazz Orchestra.

Ben has won various awards and grants, including the Stan Getz/Clifford Brown Fellowship and the Deloitte Jazz Award (the most prestigious jazz award in the Netherlands). He was recently a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition. His latest album, Among Verticals (2016), was presented in eight countries. In addition to his quintet, he regularly performs as a trio with drummer Han Bennink and guitarist Reinier Baas.