SURINAMESE JAZZ IN THE NETHERLANDS

Surinamese jazz musicians began playing jazz in The Netherlands earlier than they did in Suriname, and jazz has different backgrounds in both countries as well. This chapter deals with the rise and reception of Surinamese jazz musicians in The Netherlands from the 1930s through to the 1970s. “It cannot be a coincidence,” wrote Herman ‘Doctor Jazz’ Openneer, “that Surinamese jazz began in The Netherlands in 1935.” The fee people like Armstrong commanded for a performance was much too high for many promotors in those days. Someone soon came up with the idea of offering Surinamers contracts and giving them American names. From then on Theodoor Kantoor was known as Teddy Cotton, and Arthur Parisius became Kid Dynamite. The Dutch believed that all blacks who played jazz were American. Rumor has it a notice was sent to Suriname: “Guys, come to Holland and take your guitar and two drumsticks with you.”