This is Our Music – Artist portrait John Dikeman

John Dikeman
Featured Ensemble for Doek Festival 2018
The Coimbra Project
Saturday June 16 – Bimhuis

Originally from rural Wyoming, John Dikemam began performing improvised music in his mid teens. After studying music at the Interlochen Arts Academy and Bennington College he moved around the globe to cities including New York City and Cairo, performing a wide range of music, from cocktail jazz to a brief stint with Nubian pop star Mohamed Mounir. It was after moving to Amsterdam in 2008 that he developed into one of the most powerful emerging saxophonists of improvised music. He was awarded the Young VIP tour in the Netherlands in 2012 which he completed with the trio Cactus Truck plus guests. This was also the year he was invited to join Doek as a core member. Current working ensembles include a trio with William Parker and Hamid Drake, Universal Indians featuring Joe McPhee, and Spinifex among others. John has also performed as a soloist with Jameszoo and the Metropole Orkest, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Cairo Symphony Orchestra, etc.

The Coimbra Project

• John Dikeman tenor sax; Luis Vicente trumpet; Alexander Hawkins piano; Hugo Antunes double bass; Mark Sanders drums

In 2017, John Dikeman, Luis Vicente and Hugo Antunes were given a residency in Coimbra, PT at the venue Salão Brazil. With 4 days to record, rehearse and present concerts on 2 evenings, they had a chance to put together this ensemble. They decided to invite two exemplary musicians from the British scene. Alexander Hawkins, no stranger to the Bimhuis, is one of the leading lights of young European improvisers. For the original residency Roger Turner was the drummer, but couldn’t make the festival due to a previous engagement. So the wonderful Mark Sanders has been enlisted to complete the group for the festival. Together, this ensemble represents everything John Dikeman wants in improvising musicians: sensitivity, spontaneity, deep listening, and an absolute willingness to tear it up.