Wiebke Pahrmann is classically trained in the trumpet and violin, starting on violin at 5 years old and switching to the trumpet (from strings to brass) at 11. In her teens her passion for music turned to Jazz ,which she mastered, graduating from the Conservatory of Amsterdam. As a multi-instrumentalist, Wiebke also carries a flugelhorn, and adds perfect backing vocals to her performance repertoire. Piano and percussion are other talents of which she can boast, placing Wiebke in the ‘unique and exceptional’ category of performer, who has inspired audiences in Ibiza for the last 8 years.
Wiebke has performed with some of Jazz music’s great contributors. When asked ‘Have you performed with any big name stars or personal inspirations?’:
“Yes, most of them from the jazz scene like: Scott Wendholt, Dick Oatts, Charlie Mariano, Pete York, Ack van Rooyen. And for twelve years, I was touring with Tineke Schouten, a famous dutch cabaret artist”
But as modest as ever, asked about her proudest moments, Wiebke gave us this:
“When I was 22, I got to be the soloist in the piece “Journey into Jazz” by Gunter Schuller. It is describing the journey of a child that starts getting in touch with music and learns how to play trumpet. First the technique, then classical music, followed by jazz and improvisation, and finally the child learns that in order to reach people, music has to come from the heart. Our big band was collaborating with a professional symphony orchestra and we had a big production in the opera house of Göttingen in Germany. It was certainly an awesome experience being backed up by a full big band and symphony orchestra and playing the solo role of the story.
Another memorable moment for me was, when I took part in the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp summer program in the USA, won the Yamaha scholarship, and was chosen to go on a European Tour with the International Big Band.
Further, it is quite special to me that during my time in the Netherlands, I was regularly returning to the big theatre stages like Carré Amsterdam, Luxor Rotterdam, Circustheater Den Hague and Beatrix Theater Utrecht. And of course playing the famous jazz festivals North Sea Jazz and Montreux Jazz.”
As with all of the musicians in the Fonoteca family, it seems almost absurd that someone so talented and busy with a music career could have much time for anything else. But… off stage she enjoys:
“Crafting, being in nature, hiking, skiing and dancing. I enjoy getting creative with crafting materials. I have brought quite a few over to Ibiza by now. Like my sewing machine, crochet and knitting needles, my wood-burning pen, leather and metal stamping kits, beads and clay. And I am looking at getting back into painting. I have moved recently, and in my new place, there is a lot more space for paintings on the walls.”
Asked about her musical inspiration, Wiebke speaks with utter integrity and respect: “My inspiration usually doesn’t come from the music of some famous artists, but from a place of silence. When my mind is relaxing and not thinking of anything. When I am at a gig, it comes from the atmosphere around me, the people, the other musicians, or what’s going on in the song I am playing to. I must admit that I don’t listen to music much when I am at home, but some of my favourite trumpet players are Roy Hargrove, Freddy Hubbard, Miles Davis and Till Brönner.”
And as regards her favourite types of gigs: “Generally, I enjoy playing with other people. I prefer relaxing atmospheres, but when people are having a good time, I also like contributing to those more upbeat vibes. I especially love playing at weddings, because it is a very special day for the couple and their guests, and everybody just wants to have a good time.”
If you happen to be a music producer and can recognise how brilliant Wiebke is, she also tells us that she’s available for studio recording sessions. “Sure I am available! And I like to do them, yes. I have been part of some recording sessions in Germany and the Netherlands, and been hired a few times here in Ibiza. The latest being an acoustic session with Hosh and Sony music.” You can contact her directly through wiebkepahrmann.com