It doesn’t happen often: three generations from one family on the same stage. It happened on Saturday evening in city café De Basiliek in Den Bosch, where grandfather, son and grandson Peels performed during Jazz in Duketown.
“They can’t get me down yet. I just have to play again tonight,” says 89-year-old pianist Jan Peels, laughing. Jazz has been his passion all his life, and quitting is not an option for the time being. “I’ll stop when I die.”
From father to son
Peels has been playing with his son, also called Jan Peels, for about forty years. “I trained him completely. It is in the genes of the Peels family,” he says proudly. “I kicked it in, he couldn’t get out of it.” He says that Jan attended music school and can read music very well. “I can’t do that, I do it more by feeling.”
For Jan Peels Jr. (62) it may have started a bit under duress. “It was mandatory to rehearse at home for a while, but that passed quickly,” he reflects. “Other boys had a paper route and I would sit and make music with my father in the evenings. That was actually fantastic.” He does not play the piano like his father, but the saxophone.
Third generation
The fact that father and son are celebrating their fortieth Jazz in Duketown together this year makes it extra special. And now a third generation has arrived. Grandson Juul makes his second appearance at the festival and follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, who plays the piano. “I grew up with it, so it’s just there,” says Juul (19). “Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” He hopes his grandfather is proud. “But I think so.”
Grandpa Jan especially enjoys watching his grandson play while the baton is slowly passed on. “Maybe I won’t be allowed to participate anymore,” he jokes. In any case, the musical line in the family does not stop: another grandson also plays the saxophone, although still in a carnival orchestra. “He has to start somewhere, haha.” One thing is clear: the name Peels will continue to resonate on stage for a while.