The Fours from Amsterdam is a Rhythm and Jazz quintet playing their own original music in the styles of Latin Jazz, Brazilian, Funk, and Caribbean grooves. The members are: Leslie Lopez on bass, Olaf Keus on drums, Jeen Rabs on electric guitar, Raya Hadzhieva on trumpet/flugelhorn, and Tycho Burgerhoff on percussion. This group was formed by top all-round musicians from New Cool Collective, Ronald Snijders Band, and Deborah Carter's Band.
The Fours is an exceptional band formed by a group of skilled professional musicians who have been playing, recording, and touring with renowned international artists for many years. Their unique chemistry emerged during a spontaneous jam session, inspiring them to share their dynamic and captivating performances with audiences worldwide. The band's signature style is a fusion of funky, energetic, and swinging music, featuring their own original compositions with Brazilian, South American, and Afro-funk influences.
Leslie Lopez, a bassist, percussionist, and arranger from Puerto Rico, has played, recorded, and toured worldwide with numerous international acts, including Nueva Manteca, Cubop City Big Band, and Conexión Latina. For 29 years, Leslie has been a member of the international Dutch group "New Cool Collective," which has released 18 albums and received various awards, including an Edison and a Golden Calf. Leslie also produces his own music and teaches at conservatories in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Raya Hadzhieva is a Bulgarian trumpet player and music producer based in Amsterdam. In 2009 she obtained her master's degree in jazz trumpet and since then she has proven herself to be a skilled and versatile instrumentalist. She has performed on international stages and festivals in various genres, from jazz to world music and pop. In 2019 Raya Hadzhieva started two creative projects with vocalists, for which she arranges and produces the music: Desperate Daughters and Mermaid Radio. She is the new member of The Fours and brings a unique look and wonderful addition to the band. Raya is constantly looking for authenticity and freedom of expression, and is always open to exploring new musical avenues.
Guitarist Jeen Rabs is a versatile musician who has performed in various musical genres in New York, South America, Asia, and Africa. He has released two CDs under his own name, worked as a lecturer at the Universities of Rio De Janeiro, Bangkok, and Addis Ababa, and collaborated with renowned artists such as Deborah Carter, Zandscape, and the Holland Big Band.
Olaf Keus, a master drummer from the Netherlands, specializes in jazz, Latin, Brazilian, and funk styles and plays percussion instruments from South America and Africa. Olaf has worked with numerous musicians, including Mike Dell Ferro, Ronald Snijders, Efraïm Trujillo, and Leslie Lopez, and has played with many Brazilian artists such as Ceumar and Celio Roberto Silva. Olaf and Indonesian pianist Nita Aartsen have been touring Asia and Europe together for several years. Olaf is also a drum and ensemble teacher at the Muziekschool Amsterdam and provides body percussion lessons at the Amsterdam Conservatory.
Tycho Burgerhof (Netherlands) on Congas and Percussion Tycho started playing West African percussion (djembe, dundun, krin) when he was young and then made the crossover to Latin music. With the latin youth orchestra of the Amsterdam Music School, he won the Amsterdam Music Schools Prize several times and the orchestra was selected for the European Youth Music Festival in Hungary. He has toured Europe with various salsa, latin, jazz and folk bands and played at major festivals such as Oerol, North Sea Jazz Festival and Zwarte Cross.