About me
Music is at the heart of my life. As a child, I sang along with anything I could, from rock to opera. My grandfather, both grandmothers, my mother (were), and my brother are all active in music. So, I didn’t get it from strangers.
At the age of 8, I developed a genuine interest in the piano (in our living room). I started by figuring out songs by ear and playing them back.
When I was 10, I began private lessons with a highly passionate classical piano teacher, Emma Ulrich-Roele. The world of classical music opened up to me, and this knowledge has always remained a strong foundation. I was very ambitious, practicing every morning for 45 minutes until I turned 18.
As a teenager, my independent streak grew stronger. I felt an increasing need to play music in my own way. That feeling never left me!
After nine years of piano lessons, my heart shifted toward singing. Through pop and musical theater repertoire, I discovered (through vocal lessons and various workshops with teachers like Mathilde Santing) the many possibilities of the voice, improvisation, and JAZZ MUSIC!
It felt like coming home.
My love and preference for this musical style, in all its facets, grew over the years, making it inevitable for me to further develop myself as a singer and musician in this field. After all, blood runs where it cannot go…
I followed my heart and left my ‘secure’ career as an HR professional at the age of 38 to audition for the Vocal Jazz department at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. In September 2001, I began the full-time Bachelor’s program, and in 2005, I graduated with outstanding results.
It remains the best decision I have ever made!
For me, jazz is the musical style that places personal input (interpretation) and sound at the heart of making music. Jazz is a Lifetime Commitment—you never stop learning, and there are always new challenges to explore.
Through the years, with deepening insights and extensive stage experience, I have come closer and closer to the essence of my musicality, my conviction, and my own distinctive style.
Jazz symbolizes a way of life that suits me—staying open-minded in learning, embracing new developments in every era, integrating, listening, and communicating with others, just like in playing together.
MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY
At the age of 38, Simone Honijk made a career switch. After attending a jazz workshop in 1999 at Stanford, Palo Alto (USA), where she was encouraged by vocalists Judy Niemack, Dena DeRose, and pianist Kenny Barron to take jazz vocals seriously, she decided to follow her heart. She left her position as an HR professional and, after a successful audition, began the full-time Bachelor’s program in Vocal Jazz at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. In 2005, she graduated with outstanding results.
During this period, she attended masterclasses with Edwin Rutten, Ronald Douglas, Greetje Kauffeld, Nancy Marano, and Deborah Brown, and also studied externally with her “sister in music” Deborah J. Carter.
Since 2003, Simone has been performing regularly with her Simone Honijk Quartet or as a guest vocalist with various jazz ensembles on jazz and cultural stages and at festivals in the Netherlands and abroad.
Projects & Albums
2006 – Voice on Bass
A diverse repertoire (jazz, pop, and classical) as a duo with double bassist Jan van den Boomen (RIP Jan!).
2007 – Debut album MOSAIC (Released at Polanentheater, Amsterdam)
Simone Honijk Quartet with guest musician Niels Tausk (trumpet/flugelhorn).
Line-up:
• Simone Honijk: vocals
• Thijs Cuppen: piano
• Erik Hartgers: double bass
• Klaas Balijon: drums
2008 – Album INTERPLAY (Released at Bethaniënklooster, Amsterdam)
A tribute to pianist Bill Evans, featuring Bert van den Brink (winner of the 2007 Boy Edgar Jazz Award).
2008 – Simone Sings The Duke
A theater program about the life and music of Duke Ellington and his arranger Billy Strayhorn.
Line-up:
• Cajan Witmer: piano
• Gunnar Graafmans: drums
• Jan van den Boomen: double bass
2010 – To the Full
A series of 10 jazz concerts in Haarlem featuring Dutch jazz piano trios. Vocal hosting in collaboration with jazz vocalist Karen Vrijburg.
2011/2012 – Simone Sings Sondheim
A program exploring the music and life of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, with arrangements by Berend van den Berg, blending jazz, Latin, and pop influences.
Line-up:
• Berend van den Berg: piano
• Thomas W. Andersen: double bass
• Gunnar Graafmans: drums
2014 – Duets
A crossover of Latin, jazz, and pop standards, performed as a duo with guitarist Filippo Castellazzi.
2014 – Focus On Vocal Jazz
Recorded for Djazz TV in Enkhuizen with her trio.
Line-up:
• Dirk Balthaus: piano
• Thomas W. Andersen: double bass
• Niek van Wiggen: drums
2016 – Album FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Recorded at MCO Studio, Hilversum, with sound engineer Frans de Rond)
Featuring her trio and guest soloist Ellister van der Molen (trumpet/flugelhorn).
2017 – Album release FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Vondel CS, Amsterdam)
2019 – Duo project with classical percussionist Peter Elbertse (former percussionist of NedPho)
Hang Drum, Voice, and Percussion – an interactive vocal improvisation project.
2020 – Live-stream concert with Simone Honijk Quartet for Cultuurpark De Hout at the Sociëteit, Alkmaar.
Watch here
2021 – Concert at Club Cinetone (Amsterdam)
2021 – Duo concert with pianist Dirk Balthaus for the 25th anniversary of Kunstnet TV Alkmaar at TAQA Theater De Vest (Alkmaar).
2023/2024 – Upcoming album release: A Touch of Cinema and Jazz, the Music of Johnny Mandel with sextet
Recorded in November 2023/February 2024 at MCO Studio, Hilversum (sound engineer Frans de Rond).
2025 – Album release concerts for A Touch of Cinema and Jazz (concerts)
Line-up:
• Simone Honijk: vocals
• Durk Hijma: guitar
• Thomas Winther Andersen: double bass
• Joost Kesselaar: drums
• Natalio Sued: tenor sax/clarinet
• Ellister van der Molen: flugelhorn/trumpet