JORIS POSTHUMUS
Welcome to my official website. I am Joris Posthumus, a Dutch jazz saxophonist and composer driven by a passion for energetic play, lyrical storytelling, and cross-cultural collaborations.
My musical journey in Asia began in October 2011 during a festival tour in China. It was there that I crossed paths with a group of incredible Japanese musicians playing at the same event. That spontaneous encounter sparked an instant connection and laid the foundation for a deep, lasting cross-cultural musical brotherhood.
Since then, we have actively bridged the European and Japanese jazz scenes. Together as a the Joris Posthumus group, we have toured extensively across East Asia and Europe, performing everywhere from historic underground clubs in Tokyo to local jazz sanctuaries in southern Kyushu. These international collaborations have brought our music to major global stages, including a memorable performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival and a live appearance on the premier Dutch television show De Wereld Draait Door.
As a composer, Joris Posthumus blends the acoustic traditions of hard bop with a contemporary energy. Whether I am leading my quintet live on stage or arranging new music in the studio, storytelling remains at the heart of everything I do. My goal is always to share honest, high-quality jazz that speaks to a global audience.
“A delightful album, full with steaming collectives and twinkling solos.”
— Jazzism (on Tokyo’s Bad Boys)
“A surprising and emotionally charged album… Jinsei is a musical narrative that celebrates the resilience of life and the deep bonds of friendship.”
— JazzRadar / ZenneZ Press (on Jinsei)
“Posthumus is a saxophone player with his own style: full of flair, sharp, fast and fierce… a treasurer of the melody.”
— JazzNu (on Tokyo’s Bad Boys)
“Jinsei is not just a follow-up, it’s also a step forward… reflecting his continued evolution as a composer and bandleader.”
— Jazzflits (on Jinsei)
“Where international collaborations often suffer from ego clashes, Posthumus and his Japanese musicians succeed in creating a completely unique and irresistibly powerful ensemble sound: a stellar achievement.”
— Jazzenzo (on Jinsei)
