The Biggles Big Band

If you're a jazz enthusiast, this is the kind of news that makes your heart skip a beat. A full big band concert is something almost unheard of in Thailand. You won’t find them even in famous jazz clubs, luxury hotels, or upscale tourist zones. The reason is simple: most venues can’t accommodate over 20 musicians, and the cost of hosting such a group usually exceeds what most businesses can afford. Even music schools rarely host full big band performances, opting instead for smaller trios or quartets.

But this time, something truly special is happening. A full 24-member ensemble is flying in directly from Amsterdam—not including their lighting, sound, video, and support crew. The lineup includes a conductor, a vocalist, five saxophones (also doubling on flute and clarinet), four trombones, guitar, piano, bass, drums, two violins, viola, and cello—making this a genuine big band. Their specialty? Swing jazz, featuring classics from Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Quincy Jones. For vocal numbers, they draw from legends like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

This world-class ensemble is The Biggles Big Band. Based in Amsterdam, they’ve been performing every Monday night at Casablanca Café in the city center for over 40 years. Founded in 1985 by Adrie Braat—known affectionately in Thailand as “Aree”—the band first toured Thailand in 2009, with performances in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, and Hua Hin. Following the overwhelming success of that first tour, Aree has brought the band back every year since, donating all proceeds to support underprivileged children in Thailand. They are not only musical ambassadors, but also committed volunteers with a heartfelt bond to the Thai community.

The band's name draws inspiration from The Biggles adventure novels by W. E. Johns, set during the First and Second World Wars. The series follows a daring pilot who always arrives just in time to help those in need—a spirit echoed in the band’s own mission: crossing continents to share the joy of jazz and give back to children in need.

“Our music industry is incredibly diverse—ranging from classical, pop, to jazz. Electronic music, in particular, is thriving, with world-famous DJs regularly performing in Thailand. However, the embassy doesn’t often get involved with those artists—mainly because their appearance fees are sky-high,” the audience chuckled. “That said, music plays a key role in diplomacy. We try to organize as many musical events as possible because we believe music is a universal language. It connects people, connects countries, and sometimes even connects students from different backgrounds. Personally, this is one of the parts of my job I enjoy the most. And that’s why The Biggles Big Band is here.”

These were the words of H.E. Mr. Remco Johannes van Wijngaarden, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Thailand, during the opening ceremony of The Biggles Big Band’s Thailand and Cambodia tour, held at the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok on February 5.

After the opening remarks, The Biggles Big Band introduced a new guest vocalist for this tour—the charming and talented Oscar Rodenburg.

His first number was I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Frank Sinatra. With strong, resonant vocals from deep within his diaphragm, every word was delivered with clarity and control. His focused gaze and magnetic presence in a cream-colored linen suit made him stand out as if bathed in spotlight—though it was just the warm glow of ordinary neon lights in the embassy’s traditional wooden hall.

Oscar Rodenburg later wowed the audience again with a smooth rendition of La Mer by Charles Trenet—sung beautifully in French—leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

As part of their 2025 concert tour, The Biggles Big Band will be spreading joy and swing rhythms across Thailand and Cambodia with the following schedule:

• February 7 – Centara Grand Hotel, Hua Hin
• February 8 – The Pandora Camp, Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima
• February 9 – Korat Jazz Festival 2025, Mayfair Market, Nakhon Ratchasima
• February 10 – Mahamakut Buddhist University, Khon Kaen
• February 12 – Roi Et Province
• February 14 – Phanwa House, Ubon Ratchathani
• February 15–16 – Surin Music Jazz Festival 2025, Thongtarin Hotel Plaza, Surin
• February 19–20 – Kep Province, Cambodia
• February 22 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• February 23 – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Whether you’re in the heart of Thailand or across the border in Cambodia, this tour promises an unforgettable jazz experience.

At Khao Yai, The Biggles Big Band performed at The Pandora Camp, where a Chinese banquet-style dinner was arranged for guests who reserved seats in advance. At first glance, the setting—a fusion of East meets West—felt somewhat awkward. But surprisingly, the atmosphere held together in an unexpectedly harmonious way.

The ceremony before the performance was kept refreshingly brief. Mr. Kittisak Theerawatana, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, offered a short and concise opening remark. This was followed by a vibrant performance of traditional Isaan-style folk music by the Pong Lang ensemble from Ban Non Tan School in Kham Thale So District.

A young girl took center stage with a kaen—a traditional bamboo mouth organ—spinning it in one hand while blowing intricate melodies and holding a mic in the other. Her dexterity and musicality were so impressive that several wind players from Amsterdam left their seats, phones in hand, to record her performance up close, visibly amazed.

Once the opening act concluded, the big band took the stage. Oscar Rodenburg serenaded the audience with My Way by Frank Sinatra, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, and La Mer by Charles Trenet. The band then paid tribute with royal compositions Chat-Cha-Cheevit (“The Destiny”) and Krai Roong (“Near Dawn”). For this special set, they were joined by Somesak Chaima—nicknamed “First”—a gifted keyboardist from the Thai Blind Orchestra and a student from the Lopburi College of Dramatic Arts. Mr. Adrie graciously gave First the spotlight to solo, showcasing his musical talent to the fullest.

During the intermission, a charity art auction was held featuring the work of Mr. Surin Sonthirat, affectionately known in Khao Yai as “Uncle Noi,” the founder of Suan Son Silp (Hidden Art Garden). The auction, filled with laughter and generosity, raised 60,000 baht. All proceeds, along with ticket sales from the concert, were donated in full—without any deductions. Likewise, Mr. Tontrakul Krishpipat contributed by selling wines from Alcidini Vineyard, with all earnings going to the same cause.

On February 9, the band visited the Makkhuttakiriwan School for the Blind, donating more than 70,000 baht raised from the show and additional contributions. The funds were given in full as scholarships for students with visual impairments.

The journey of The Biggles Big Band is far from over.

Though this year’s tour ends in Siem Reap, their story continues—because just like the fictional Biggles, always ready to take flight to help others, this band is never done traveling. And perhaps offering healing through music carries even more meaning than saving lives in a novel. Beyond lifting spirits—as seen in the joyful faces, spontaneous singing, and dancing during each performance—the band helps nurture the enduring bond between the people of two nations.

As H.E. Mr. Remco Johannes van Wijngaarden, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Thailand, said during the tour’s opening ceremony:

“Music is a universal language—it connects people, it connects countries.”

It’s no exaggeration to say that this is one of the Netherlands’ finest examples of soft power in action.

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