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The BIMhuis is a concert hall for jazz and improvised music in Amsterdam.

The BIMhuis was opened on 1 October 1974 on Oude Schans in Amsterdam. The opening ended a long quest for a suitable venue by a group of musicians, among the members of the BIM (Beroepsvereniging van Improviserende Musici – Association of Improvising Musicians). They wanted to create a home for Dutch jazz and took things into their own hands. This group included Willem Breuker, Han Bennink and Hans Dulfer. Founding the BIMhuis was an expression of hectic developments within European jazz from the late 1960s. Amsterdam was an important centre for the new wave of experimental European jazz and what’s known as the Dutch School with reeds player Willem Breuker, pianist Misha Mengelberg and percussionist Han Bennink among the key figures. Other people involved in founding the BIMhuis include Henk Elzinga and Willem van Manen.

Over the years, the BIMhuis develops to become an important institution of the jazz in the Netherlands, not only as a venue but also as an important meeting place for the Dutch jazz scene. Jazz musicians could organise their own projects and have them performed in the BIMhuis. In 1987 and 1991, these activities led to the October Meeting, a high point for many musicians. Participants included John Zorn, Cecil Taylor and Mischa Mengelberg. Other successful series were the Carte Blanche concerts and the Sessions. The BIMhuis slowly started to acquire international fame. There were on average three concerts a week as well as workshops. International artists who have played their include Art Blakey, Charles Mingus and Archie Shepp.

In 1995, to developments in global politics threatened the BIMhuis on Oude Schans. Firstly, the city council had tightened environmental regulations while at the same time there were ideas to convert the neglected eastern harbour area close to Central Station  into a new cultural centre. It was clear that the BIMhuis could not continue in its old location because it was obviously unable to meet the new noise limits. In the end, a decision was taken to include the BIMhuis in the plans for the new Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ by the River IJ. 10 years later, on 19 February 2005, the BIMhuis opened its doors in its new location by the river. The informal atmosphere of the old auditorium had been kept as far as possible, while it also had the most modern technical facilities. In the years since BIMhuis moved to its new venue, the number of concerts and activities has increased enormously. There are now about 300 activities every year, including concerts, workshops, sessions, children’s concerts et cetera. There are also regular recordings, both for radio and TV.

In 2011, the BIMhuis won the nl:Amsterdamprijs. According to the jury, “ the choices of the BIMhuis provide evidence of its ambition and respect for music as a pure art form”. In 2013, the BIMhuis received the EJN Award for adventurous programming from the European Jazz Network. From the jury report: “a great venue which has survived a move to a new location while retaining its brand and character through very careful attention to identity, design and atmosphere.

“There is no other example anywhere in Europe of a venue or promoter that has created the level and range of programme – and sustained it for so many years – as the BIMhuis has done. And, in respect of this EJN Award, it is still, week after week, month after month, producing adventurous, wide-ranging, risk-taking, thought-provoking programmes.”