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| Hans Koert (1951-2014) |
Holland has lost a great jazz specialist and a warm person
On
September 4, 2014 the sad news arrived that Hans Koert, at the age of 63 years,
passed away in his residence Heinkenszand (Holland) after a serious disease.
His
decease is a sore loss for all those who are really interested in jazz and
related music, because Hans – apart from his profession as a teacher – was a
dynamic publicist/collector and always well-informed about both the historical
and contemporary jazz.
First
of all Hans’ great passion for guitarist Oscar
Alemán should be mentioned. Not only did he possess the complete collection
of Alemáns’ recordings, but he knew every detail about the artist and even
maintained contact with his relatives in Argentina..
As an
homage Hans released an extensive discography on Oscars’ records in 2002..
Next there was his “Hit of the Week” project (creation of a digital file of the old
flexible ‘Durium’ records from the years 1930/32). Hans completed this huge
project in 2011 whereby all recordings were issued on four double CDs.- the first complete discography ever.
However,
Hans’ activities became widely known when he started to release regulalrly
weblogs from 2006 under the name “Keep
(it) Swinging”. These detailed blogs both in Dutch and English included
info on Oscar Alemán, ‘Choro’ (Music from Brazil) and ‘Hits of the Week’.
Later
these blogs were followed by interesting publications on jazz artists and bands,
of both traditonal or contemparary
origin and also reports on special concerts were released.
The
blogs included many photos (Hans was also an excellent photographer and always
had an eye for well chosen pictures to accompany the texts) and often rare
audio fragments of historical value were inserted to complete the texts. By
releasing English translations as well, “Keep
(it) Swinging” received international
attention and feed-back. In total more than
2000 blogs were published and one can imagine how much work this must
have represented. The last few years also digital Newsletters have been published.
I
worked together with Hans for my publications on the pre-WW2 French jazz and our contact was always
pleasant and full of humour. During a visit to his home it was impressive to
find so many reference books and
records. I also remember that we both attended that unique concert which was
given to celebrate the 100 years’ anniversary of Django Reinhardt’s birth.
Through
my frequent exchange with Hans, I came into contact with Jorgen Larsen from
Denmark.with whom I alo cooperate in jazz projects. Over the years Jorgen and
Hans made and issued blogs together. That’s why Hans, prior to his passing away,
asked Jorgen to continue his project, so fortunately “Keep (it) Swinging” will live on.
I
shall miss Hans, not only beause of his great knowledge of jazz, but as a
friend.and I wish his wife, Corrie, much strength in these difficult times. But
with me, many others will always remember Hans with great respect.
Georg Lankester
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