Royal Honour for Ig Henneman, the Ambassador of Improvised Music

After studying at the conservatory, Henneman started her career as a classical musician in various orchestras. Resisting limitations imposed by composing only classical music, she founded one of the first female bands in the Netherlands in 1977: F.C. Gerania.
Henneman wrote songs for jazz and improvisation groups such as the Ig Henneman Sextet, the David Kweksilber Bigband, the Canadian Orkestra Futura, the Italian Instabile Orchestra, the Clazz Ensemble and the duo Baars-Henneman.
In the 1980s, Henneman devoted herself to the Foundation Woman and Music, which strived to create more space for women in the Dutch music scene.  She also set up the WIG Foundation, which promotes composed and improvised music.
In recent years, Henneman has organised concerts and projects with various musicians, poets, dancers and visual artists in Europe, North America, Brazil, Japan and elsewhere. During these tours Ms. Henneman regularly gave workshops and master classes on jazz and improvised music. Because of her influence on the Dutch music scene and her support for women in this field, Ms Henneman has been appointed Knight of the Order of Oranje-Nassau.

Order of Oranje-Nassau

This decoration is awarded to those who have rendered personal service to society, the State or the Royal Household for a long period of time. There are six degrees in the Order of Orange-Nassau: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight and Member.
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More about Ig Henneman
Works of Ig Henneman at Donemus