Han Bennink on Cheese Kit Diptych - Part 1/3

Cheese Kit Diptych is an installation by artist Walter Willems consisting of two drum kits. In one, full rounds of real (mainly Dutch) cheese sit atop drum stands; in the other, plastic cheese replicas usually found in store display windows are employed. In this absurd setting Willems reinforces the international stereotype of the Dutch by using a classic Dutch export product as its main ingredient.

Cheese Kit Diptych was created specifically to be played by world-renowned Dutch improvisational jazz drummer Han Bennink. Bennink, ambassador of the Dutch free jazz scene, is known for his ability to drum on any surface, teeming with humor, virtuosity, and creativity through his animated style. Willems considered his installation incomplete until Bennink played both of the drum kits.

The drum performance by Han Bennink was recorded on June 17, 2005 at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art where the Cheese Kit Diptych installation was a featured artwork in the Demons Stole My Soul: rock 'n roll drums in contemporary art exhibition. As part of the performance Bennink also played a conventional drum kit and a pair of wooden shoes.

Directed and produced by Walter Willems.
DVD available at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Toronto, Canada.

©2006 Walter Willems, All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, copying and rental of this recording is prohibited by law.

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[kwakky]

he's played on some of the greatest jazz albums of all time, including peter brotzmann's "machine gun" from 1968, and eric dolphy's "last date" from 1964. don't be one of those people spreading the stereotype that jazz fans are humorless dickheads.

[bonac123]

i bet any metal drummer with 100 pieces of drum kits couldn't beat him with his cheese.

ps. he should use cheese sticks instead of drum sticks. lol

[331paradiddle]

Is he swiss?

[Pancrazio Giuzio]

degrade!

[Ardepark]

This guy is really gouda at drums.

He shreds.

[tisdrummer]

3:40 is one of the best things ever

[NitramZiarreh]

wait a minute, those are real cymbals... that's cheating!

[eccovictor]

Every musician aspires to play the cheese this well.

[quizlixx]

earsplosion

[Haassan1]

I have to say when I first saw this, I was kinda 'worried' that Han may be a bit pretentious himself, because it looked like he's very 'serious' in his playing on the cheese kits. Now I tend to believe, he's just very passion t about his music (and maybe cheese) and I did saw some humorous events accruing, putting the fact that he is playing on cheese more in perspective.

[Borja Gonzalo Muñoz]

it is also true that most genres recur on the same ideas and issues, that is one of the major reasons why my musical interests include groups from most genres, including rock, its just that i think the commercial concept behind rock music is much less personal and more presuntuous than this style of music. I mean, melodically rock and roll is a pleasure, but i cant stand most musicians, whereas i would love to meet han bennink

[Borja Gonzalo Muñoz]

Totally right. Its a pleasure to have a debate with someone who doesnt react in a violent or outrageous manner and starts to say all kinds of stupid comments like what im used to receive as feedback from most youtube users, a pleasure indeed. What i find interesting is the relation between public and artist, Han Bennink is totally free and willing to show himself as he is, without pompous solos that show style and technique and more with the freedom of someone who enjoys playing drums. Just that