NDIO was created from the ashes and reorganization of the Holland-based Hugh Hopper Band. Frank van der Kooij was a key member of the Hopper Band and asked Hopper to be a part of a project under his direction. Frank invited Robert Jarvis (British trombonist) and Pieter Bast (drummer) to join him. The ensemble also included Niels Brouwer (guitarist) and Paul Maassen (keyboardist). Van der Kooij gave the new project NDIO. He recalls that the history of NDIO began with Hugh Hopper’s long-standing cooperation. The Hugh Hopper Band performed its first concert in Spring 1985 in Breda (Holland), and many more followed. In 2000, I was looking for a new formula to work with that would allow me to create my own atmosphere. I invited many old and new musicians to form new groups. Hugh was one of these musicians and our collaboration resulted in a new, fascinating sound. We started playing concerts immediately and began working on the record. Airback is NDIO’s first CD. The music is a fluid, “airy” blend of jazz and elements of folk, rock, classical music, ambient music, sampling, and rock. Van der Kooij composed most of the music, but Jarvis wrote one and Hopper two. Jarvis also composed “Big Bombay”, a song previously heard on Uses Wrist Grab by Bone. The Netherlands is being recognized as a seedbed of some of the most innovative and adventurous jazz music in recent years. Airback shows that the Netherlands’ young jazz musicians are also producing some the best jazz/rock Fusion in the world – another musical development where Hopper has played an integral part. The band’s music is strongly Hugh’s, even though Frank is the leader. from http://www.cuneiformrecords.com
