Sad message from Ensemble Klang:
We’re devastated by the sudden loss of our dear, dear friend, magnificent colleague, saxophonist extraordinaire Erik-Jan de With.
Words can’t fill this unexpected void.
We’ve had more than 20 years of playing side-by-side in Ensemble Klang, which he co-founded. But many of us were friends and colleagues with Erik-Jan for many years before that, dating back to our high-school days.
We shared graduations, moving in to first homes, relationships blossoming, and relationships passing, marriages, kids, more kids, but above all a profound love of music.
Just across the last few weeks we shared the stage with him for a number of thrilling concerts and radio recordings, doing what he loved.
Erik-Jan’s passion was not only for the playing, but also for the camaraderie of ensembles. He brought a genuinely warm and kind presence to touring and to those precious back-stage moments pre- and post-concert.
These last few weeks he was in top musical form, and full of happiness and enthusiasm for projects to come.
Erik-Jan was a life-long advocate of the saxophone, building new contemporary repertoire for the instrument. He performed as a soloist in venues from the Concertgebouw Amsterdam to Long Play Festival New York. He championed the saxophone in all its forms (from sopranino down to tubax), and in all its many ensembles, from sax quartet to sax orchestra, jazz band to wind orchestra.
His passion covered many musical genres and styles, and took in work with young musicians, amateurs as well as professional ensembles and orchestras. He premiered works by countless composers, from Louis Andriessen to Éliane Radigue, and assembled a meticulous archive of saxophone repertoire, with recordings, dates, performers and sheet music. His enthusiasm kindled a passionate musical community in his home town of The Hague, neighbouring Westland, around his countryside retreat in Hoenderloo, and further afield.
Erik-Jan passed away suddenly, last weekend, at the age of 48. He’ll be deeply missed by family, friends, and colleagues.
Erik-Jan, we will miss you immensely.
Your spirit will always be with us.
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