J O R I S
H O L T A C K E R S

AWARD WINNING COMPOSER-PIANIST • INSTRUMENTAL ALCHEMIST
RECORDING ENGINEER • PRODUCER • MUSIC COACH

GREENLAND

Here is my neo-classical album GREENLAND, containing 16 ambient, soothing piano compositions inspired by nature & landscapes from Greenland.

Listeners can experience a juxtaposition of jazz, latin, tango and classical music based on distinctive melodies and harmonies.

QAANAAQ
Lemon Sharks trio version
(Video: Hilde Verweij)

Ulilissat won an IndabaMusic award in 2012 (with former title “Ballade for Piano”)

Greenland source outline imageAasiaat photo from Pixabay

ABOUT JORIS

Winner of multiple IndabaMusic awards (2010-2013), recognised by Steve Reich and Paul Simon.

Discover:

  • My fascination with the piano started early in life. During my time at the Utrecht Conservatory (NL) I was fortunate to be mentored by renowned pianists Bert van den Brink and Jasper van ’t Hof. I also had the privilege to receive tutelage from the legendary John Taylor at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. Alongside appearances on Dutch national TV, I performed at iconic venues like Bellevue and Paradiso in Amsterdam. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with various bands, artists, and singers.

    Besides the piano, I love diving into different instruments such as the organ, synthesizers, percussion, drums, and (bass) guitar, exploring their sonic possibilities and pushing creative boundaries. Whether on stage or in the studio, I am always searching for new sounds and fresh expressions to bring music to life.

  • My approach to composition is rooted in passion and great enthusiasm for all music genres. I began composing at 17 and later refined my craft under the guidance of Henk Alkema. Since then, I’ve written and produced music for singers, ensembles, and films, fusing influences from classical, jazz, world, and pop-rock styles.

  • Trained in audio engineering, I specialize in recording, mixing, and mastering, particularly in classical, world, and jazz music. 

    Combining the sensitive ear of a musician and sound engineering expertise, my approach to audio mixing and mastering focuses on creating a dynamic and natural soundscape while achieving balance, spatial and spectral clarity. I pay uttermost attention to the finest details in every recording, striving for a personal experience whereby listeners are transported into a space where the musicians are.


  • Outstanding, brilliant,a most enjoyable and dynamic listening experience… Great work and beautiful sonic clarity… in the same league with Disney

    ben evolence (via indabamusic)

  • There's music that can be always suitable & welcome from the vast majority of listeners .... A peaceful production which will touch your soul in the most gentle way

    Nagamag about ‘Qaanaaq’ from the album Greenland

  • Really love this; your submission was killer!

    concord music group (via indabamusic)

  • Normally, I can trust my ears to work out whether someone has used live playing or sample banks, but your stuff sounds so real and live, and gets produced in such a short space of time that it can’t possibly be all live. Your music speaks to me on a level that no other music on this site has done yet!

    ben fowler (via indabamusic)

  • Your “Plenty Four Seven” is by far the most interesting, beautiful and best conceived and performed tune of all Brief {indabamusic weekly brief competitions} ! … You are my myth!!!

    andrea riderelli (via indabamusic)

  • Your notes are really breathing in and out, giving all the notes the right space. The notes and timing are beautiful. A deep bowing

    Le Vab (via indabamusic)

  • His interpretations of Bach are a pleasure to listen to and his compositions and productions (a.o. for film) are impressive

    Bob van der Boom (pianist/composer/producer)

  • Great music, rich and open sound; delicacy of playing, sophisticated without being boring

    Didi Tokaoui (via indabamusic)

  • I’m blown away! This is really high quality stuff. Really great piano playing!

    Dynabeat (via indabamusic)

  • Very, very exciting … wonderful sound!

    jasper van 't hof (jazz pianist/composer) about adept's ode

FEATURED VIDEOS

ELECTRO ACOUSTIC STUDIO JAM (2020)

ROXANNE FOR CELL8CTET (2013)

Arrangement: Bart Soeters & Joris Holtackers

BASS SOUNDS II (2018)

Composition/production: Bart Soeters & Joris Holtackers

F. CHOPIN - BARCAROLLE, OP. 60 (2020)

R. SCHUMANN - TOCCATA, OP. 7 (2021)

WALDEMAR’S GROOVE (2020)

During Covid19 lockdown, Bart Soeters’ son Waldemar (aged 7) invited me to compose music to his improvised drumming

Performing and composing classical music has always been an equally great passion for me as playing/writing jazz music. Here is a selection of my piano (as well as harpsichord and organ) recordings of works by classical composers of the past centuries which I plan to release as an album in the near future.

CLASSICAL PERFORMANCES

A selection of jazz / folk / fusion music I composed and produced, illustrating my fascination with weaving music from different styles and cultures.

JAZZ / FUSION

IN 2012 INDABAMUSIC (NY/USA) AWARDED: HUMORESQUE, PLENTY FOUR SEVEN, SEVEN ATE NINE, TRUE ODD BLUES, JAMBALAYA

***

IN 2012 INDABAMUSIC (NY/USA) AWARDED: HUMORESQUE, PLENTY FOUR SEVEN, SEVEN ATE NINE, TRUE ODD BLUES, JAMBALAYA ***

Photo: Matthijs Zijlstra

CINEMATIC PRODUCTIONS

Here are a few examples of my productions for media / film.

MOUNTAIN SONG (2022)
CINEMATIC DEMO
all instruments, production and
mixing by Joris

(Also check the GREENLAND album for cinematic piano recordings)

Schicksalsuite won an IndabaMusic award in 2012

“Tergooi Zorgt Vooruit” (2015)
Direction: Maarten Corbijn
Music: Joris Holtackers

A D E P T ’ S O D E

In 2003, singer Philip Hölzenspies, bassist Bart Soeters, and composer/multi-instrumentalist Joris Holtackers teamed up to create an album blending new compositions with 17th-century English poems. The first track, Loving and Beloved (based on a poem by Sir John Suckling), sparked a creative journey that led to the birth of Adept's Ode. Despite busy schedules, the album was finally completed in 2008. Bringing together early and later recordings to meet modern studio standards was a challenge, but the result is a vibrant collection of ten legendary poems reimagined. We hope you enjoy the journey!

17th CENTURY POEMS meet NEW MUSIC

Photo: Martin Bosker

PORTFOLIO

2019: ARVO PÄRT
A WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER BOX
choir: Fiori Musicali
conductor: Sietse van Wijgerden
recording: Joris Holtackers

2002: VALENTIN
director: Alejandro Agresti
music: Paul M. van Brugge
pianist: Joris Holtackers

MUSICAL OFFERINGS I/II by Namgyal Lhamo (2012/2015) and NOUZHA by Windstreken were recorded by Joris Holtackers

SYMPHOBIA 1SYMPHOBIA 2 • LUMINASWING
(sample libraries used in Hollywood movies)

audio editing, piano recording and composing by Joris Holtackers among others

Photo: Kunshan Goh

CONTACT

info@sonopoly.net
(+31) 6 81 888 490
Amsterdam
The Netherlands

 

Photo: Kunshan Goh