Rein was born in Groningen (a city in the northern Netherlands), on 24 October 1942. He was raised in Veendam and learned jazz thanks to a collection of 78rpm records that his grandfather purchased after the war ended. Skyliner, a 1944 recording by Charlie Barnet was one of those records. Rein would be inspired by the song Skyliner to learn how to play saxophone, first on a toy-kazoo plastic saxophone and then later on a Hohner harmonica that his grandmother had bought him. Rein began to play the piano in the 1950s and was inspired by Winifred Atwell’s music. Sugar Chile Robinson, a young star of that era, was one of Rein’s first records. Rein was a teenager when he joined the Winkler Prins Lyceum school band. This played a kind dixieland style music that was very popular at the time. His first concert must have taken place at the Parkhotel, Hoogezand, where the band performed for a school party. Swing and Sweet From 52nd Street host Pete Felleman introduced Rein to jazz legends such as Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter and… Charlie Parker. He bought his first bebop album, which featured Charlie Parker and the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet ….., in 1958. This 45rpm Pathe EP record was recorded by Felleman. After graduating from high school (the HBS in Holland), his first bebop record was purchased. It featured Charlie Parker with the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars Quintet. This 45rpm Pathe EP record was his debut. He began his career with Dick Vennik, the Rein de GraaffÂDick Vennik Quartet saxophonist. In the early 1970s, he formed his own trio, which included Eric Ineke (his time keeper for over 40 years) on drums, Henk Haverhoek, later Koos Seierse, and Marius Beets on two bass. His trio organized short tours called Stoomcursus Bebop (= Crash Course Bebop or similar names) at Dutch and Belgian jazz venues, featuring legendary bebop musicians such as Johnny Griffin, Curtis Fuller and Gary Foster. The great concert with Frank Morgan, who died a few weeks later, is still etched in my mind. Rein invited Sam Most, a legendary flute player, to a series last year with his men Eric Ineke on drums, and Marius Beets, on double bass, respectively. Timeless Records released Rein’s new album, The Rein de Graaff Trio Meets Sam Most – Indian Summer. A series of concerts were scheduled for Rein’s 70th Birthday, with Boss Tenor Houston Person. Rein invited Houston Person for a series dedicated to Billie Holiday’s music entitled A Song for Lady Day. Person was joined by vocalist Etta (92-1993). Person returned to Boss Tenors in February 1998 with David Fathead Newman. from http://keepitswinging.blogspot.com
