Music

From 1977 on, I was singing in various bands called
“The Cream Puffs”, “The Ice Breakers”, “The Family Jewels”, singing blues, ballads, soul and rhythm and blues.

All of these activities culminated in 1984 in the formation of an orchestra called: “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams Orchestra”, - a twelve musicians orchestra and four vocals -, named after the title of the song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (lyrics Al Dubin, music Harry Warren) from the film “Moulin Rouge” 1934.

The Orchestra travelled and performed four years in Europe and Canada, 1984-1987.

“It’s the Talk of the Town” ©1933: Music by Jerry Levinson Lyrics by Marty Symes, Al J. Neiburg Lead Vocal - Carine Wintermans, featuring Rudolf Nottrot (violin) “More Than You Know” ©1929: Music by Vincent Youmans Lyrics by Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu Lead Vocal - Carine Wintermans, featuring Lydi Groenewegen (violin) Orchestration - Lucas Asselbergs “Got the South In My Soul” ©1932: Music by Lee Wiley Lyrics by Ned Washington, Victor Young Lead Vocal - Carine Wintermans, featuring Boris Vanderlek (tenor sax), Egbert Kreiken (violin) Distribution: www.bastamusic.com Boulevard of Broken Dreams Orchestra The Boulevard of Broken Dreams Orchestra has its roots in the Dutch small bands discipline, from which it emerged around 1984. An inspiration of Ton van Bergeijk and Gert-Jan Blom, the group performed at the yearly travelling festival, which it supplied with its name: the Boulevard of Broken Dreams festival. A “Broken Dream” song is more than just a sad ballad. Its lyrics should reflect both the protagonist’s high expectations of love and his ultimate disappointment; a wish that can never be fulfilled. These are all lonely, forlorn, wee small hours songs, played to perfection by a group of musicians specifically brought together to render this type of music. The Orchestra starred in Amsterdam’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams Festival (named after the Orchestra) in 1984, which is being repeated on a much larger scale, in 1985, 1986 and 1987. The repertoire is put together by Gert-Jan Blom, who as a musical archaeologist unearthed many pre-war gems of broken-hearted songwriting.