A Celebration: Ig Henneman 80 Ab Baars 70 = 150. An evening of music and two publications.

On December 28, 2025, Ig Henneman and Ab Baars celebrated their 80th and 70th (= 150th) birthdays at Dokzaal Amsterdam. It was a memorable celebration featuring composed and improvised music by the birthday duo and “kindred spirits,” alongside four releases: three books and a CD. Two of the publications that were not yet ready are now being presented during a festive continuation of the “150th Birthday Concert”: Ig Henneman 80 in Woord en Beeld (Ig Henneman 80 in Words and Images) and Ig Henneman – Songs for Improvisers.

The evening will feature works by Henneman and Baars, along with plenty of improvisation. Vincent van Amsterdam (accordion) and Esther Kuiper (mezzo-soprano) will perform Henneman’s stunning new composition “Ballade,” which premiered this past December 28th. A varied evening of adventurous, non-conformist music and two beautiful book presentations.

Duo Baars Henneman was founded in 1999 and has since performed countless concerts at home and abroad. In honor of their 25th anniversary, the CD Baars Henneman 150 @ Wels Unlimited 2025 was presented on December 28, 2025.

Eyal Hareuveni wrote of the performance:

[…] Then the 150-year-old duo of Dutch violist Ig Henneman (80) and tenor sax player, clarinetist, and shakuhachi player Ab Baars (70) decided at the last minute to play a free improvised set (and not the program Autumn Songs, Wig, 2013). It was an inspired, deeply emotional conversation between soul mates who know and love each other and always find the innocent joy and inspiration in playing together. It sounded as if all notes landed in their perfect place and none were redundant, and articulated with captivating elegance, sheer beauty, and inspired grace. […]

— Eyal Hareuveni, Free Jazz Collective blog, November 2025

Publications: Ig Henneman 80 in Woord en Beeld and Ig Henneman Songs for Improvisers.

Concert: A selection of compositions and improvisations in varying lineups featuring:

Ig Henneman – viola, Ab Baars – tenor sax/clarinet/shakuhachi, Janneke van Prooijen – violin, George Dumitriu – viola, Vincent van Amsterdam – accordion, Esther Kuiper – mezzo-soprano, Guus Janssen – piano, Berlinde Deman – tuba/serpent, Joost Buis – trombone, Anne La Berge – flute, Anneke Brassinga – poetry/reading