The Light Of Day Floriaan Wempe

• 1 The Observer 05:47
• 2 Acquiescence 03:25
• 3 Quest 05:21
• 4 Angel Roy 03:30
• 5 Love Me 05:18
• 6 October 10 05:28
• 7 What To Do 06:45
• 8 The Glow Of Promise 06:54
• 9 Gonna Be Alright 04:38
• 10 What To Do (Alternative Take) 05:37
• Total Runtime 52:43

Info for The Light Of Day

With his unique sound and style, Floriaan Wempe (1989) is known as an adventurous, swinging and elegant saxophonist and improviser. He came to prominence at an early age and was awarded the Prinses Christina Jazz Prize in 2006 and the Leidse Jazz Award in 2010. He was later taken under the wing of none other than Roy Hargrove, performing with his illustrious quintet at the New Morning in Paris and at Jazz in Marciac. He has shared the stage with Philip Harper, Willie Jones III, John Clayton, Peter Bernstein and Greg Hutchinson, amongst others. In 2026, he will release ‘The Light Of Day’, his second album as bandleader and composer.

Floriaan Wempe, tenor- and alto saxophone
Rob van Bavel, piano
Steve Zwanink, double bass
Willie Jones III, drums
Rodolfo Ferreira Neves, trumpet, flugelhorn

Floriaan Wempe
With a unique sound and signature Floriaan Wempe (1989) is known as an adventurous, swinging and elegant saxophonist and improviser. In his quest for touching melodies and the magic of the moment he captivates listeners with a story that flows from the tradition but that is unmistakably his own.

That he was taken under the wing by the late, great Roy Hargrove speaks to his potential and musical affections. He grew up hearing bebop and hardbop and soaked up the entire jazz history during his studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and trips to New York City. He deeply immersed himself into the music and lyrics of the great American songwriters and vocalists but also found inspiration in the versatility of artists like Joe Henderson, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Cedar Walton, Ahmad Jamal, Freddie Hubbard, Tom Harrell, Michael Brecker and Kenny Garrett.

His collaborations with mentors Philip Harper and Willie Jones III and nestors of the Dutch jazz scene like Karel Boehlee, Peter Beets and Juraj Stanik illustrate he is always trying to push himself and eager to learn from his elders. He saw Hargrove perform throughout Europe, studied his vast repertoire, jammed with him countless times and his committed efforts culminated in concerts with the renowned quintet at the New Morning in Paris and Jazz in Marciac. It provided the ultimate learning ground to grasp the essence of this music: the energy, groove, lyricism, improvisation and authenticity. The sheer joy of music and its incredible force to move people and get people moving, are an infinite source of inspiration and at the very core of what he intends to convey as a player, composer and teacher.

After years of being a sideman, in 2025 he steps forth with his second album as a leader. It marks a new chapter where many ideas and developments behind the scenes finally see the light of day: leading a new band, writing lyrics, his debut on alto and his development as a composer. At the same time it serves notice of things to come and directions to explore

This album contains no booklet.