Misha Mengelberg "is one of the most important innovators of European jazz, which dares to take risks. He explores new opportunities in the form of music and expression. Both in smaller groups as well as in larger combinations (Instant Composers Pool), he shows his independent approach to the jazz music. Misha Mengelberg presents itself for some time as a composer and arranger, which he succeeds in
… the past and present jazz in a very responsible way to connect with each other. " So reported the jury of the Bird Award, which Mengelberg received in 1989. Misha, son of conductor Karel Mengelberg, was born in 1935 in Kiev, but grew up in Amsterdam. He studied music theory and composition at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, but became known as jazz pianist when he won the Loosdrecht Jazz Competition in 1959. In 1961 he began an illustrious quartet with Piet Noordijk Rob Langereis and Han Bennink. After this group fell apart in 1967 because of disagreements about tradition and innovation focused on the music, with Mengelberg Bennink and Willem Breuker the Instant Composers Pool. It emerged later Tentet ICP and ICP Orchestra.more