Introduction to Rob Franken - Funky Fender Rhodes solos

An introduction in 3 minutes to the legendary Dutch piano player Rob Franken, known from his participation in the original soundtrack of Turks Fruit (Turkish Delight).

Rob Franken (1941-1983) was a unique jazz pianist from the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. He was self-taught and developed a unique technique and improvisation style. Already in the sixties he accompanied great jazz luminaries such as reed player Booker Ervin, trumpet player Art Farmer, vibraphonist Dave Pike & drummer Klaus Weiss. He was a pioneer on the Hammond organ and was the first in the Netherlands to play the Fender Rhodes electric piano. In the seventies he became a popular and highly sought after pianist. For more than ten years he was the regular accompanist of the world-famous harmonica giant Jean 'Toots' Thielemans. He appeared on hundreds of records as well as being a member of the Rogier van Otterloo orchestra, the German big band of Peter Herbolzheimer, and the Dutch funk-fusion band Scope. Until his premature death, he pioneered and experimented with synthesizers, seized by the new possibilities and timbres. Franken also had several different formations of his own, including The Rob Franken Organ-Ization, Keyboard Circle as well as his own trio and quartet.