User:MauriceRugebregt

Maurice Rugebregt (born in Delft, The Netherlands in 1969) started playing guitar at the age of 12 and was mostly inspired by guitarists like Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and the early George Benson. After finishing high school Maurice studied music and jazz guitar at the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he also took classes from guitarist Joe Pass and trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. In 1994 Maurice headed to New York City to take private lessons from Jim Hall, Peter Leitch and Peter Bernstein. After graduating in 1995, he worked with a variety of bands both as a leader and sideman.

During his studies, Maurice developed a great interest in Brazilian music and ended up working with famous Brazilian musicians, such as vocalist Lilian Vieira from reputable Brazilectro band Zuco 103. In order to improve his skills in Brazilian music, Maurice studied Brazilian jazz in Rio de Janeiro with Ricardo Silveira and Nelson Faria in 2003.

Maurice has also played at famous international jazzfestivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands, Jazz à Vienne in France and Java Jazz in Indonesia. With one of his bands, the Boptale Trio, he won a prestigious jazz-award in 1997. Maurice then recorded his first solo album 'Sioh Maluku' which was produced by Radio Netherlands Music. Sioh Maluku was a hugely successful cross-over project which combined his tasteful arrangements of Moluccan traditional and Brazilian music. The cd was released in 2003 by Munich Records and after touring throughout Europe, Maurice was honored to be able to go back to his roots and tour with Sioh Maluku in Indonesia and Ambon in 2007. Maurice considers this tour as the highlight of his career.

Maurice plays jazz, Brazilian jazz, latin jazz, funk and neo soul. Maurice also plays intimate jazz with different trio's with tenor saxophone and double bass. He has recorded with Zuco 103, toured with Laura Fygi in Thailand, Taiwan and Russia and gave a magnificent concert with Tony Monaco on the Hammond organ and Harvey Mason on drums at the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival. In addition to performing, Maurice teaches Brazilian guitar and ensembles at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.

• Maurice's guitar playing is intensely lyrical and he uses his virtuosity to express his deep melodic sense.

(Peter Bernstein)

• Maurice's guitar playing is elegant, tasty and fluent. He always finds the good notes... The ones that matter.

(Ricardo Silveira)

As an actor he appeared in the movie 'Ver Van Familie', written and directed by Marion Bloem. In may 2009 ‘Ver Van Familie’ was released on dvd including the soundtrack on cd.

Besides being a musician, Maurice is also known as DJ JAZZdad. As a DJ, he specializes in spinning jazz and bossanova vinyl records on vintage record players and speakers.