1990, goodbye, and stability

After nine years, during rehearsals in 1989, good old Jaap -Jack- Ham started to talk about leaving. The number of gigs was increasing, and the band was not only playing in the Netherlands anymore, which was getting a bit too much for a man well in his seventies. Talks with his mate Wim Valentijn didn't help, Jaap had made his decision, after 9 successful years, he quit.

Saturday 3 Februari 1990 the band and numerous fans said goodbye to Jaap in a packed Wapen van Urk. As Jaap had announced his leave well in advance, the band had ample time to find a replacement for him.

Bandpicture 1990 with newcomer Will (2nd from the right)

Wil van Gessel became Jaap's successor on the reeds, Will playing clarinet and alto- and soprano sax. Will already had a vast experience: He played in Oud Amsterdams Stijl and the Storyville Jazzmen. In the latter ochestra he played a number of times with Ken "The Guv'nor" Coyler. Will's clarinet style was typically New Orleans, and you could easily tell George Lewis was one of his great examples. His first gig with the band was in October 1989 in the Jazzclub Vaals in Limburg.