2006-08-04 12:55:26

May 20th, 2006 was an outstandingly surprising day in Michael Simon`s life. Seven different bandleaders called him to perform with their bands on this day but only two of these performances could be managed. This since they where both at the Meer Jazz Festival in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. This festival hosts the National Big Band Concourse every year, in which Michael`s first performance took place when he joined the Residence Big Band of The Hage for an afternoon recital. Later this afternoon while the prices were being anounced, Michael was sound checking, attending calls from bandleaders and getting ready for his next concert with Fra Fra Sound when he ran into a colegue from the Residence Big Band and heard that he had won the Soloist price of the concourse. This was quite unexpected since he didn`t even know the price existed. He later met the Big Band to recieve his price and celebrate with a glas of beer. Michael`s next gig was a huge succes and was later approached by the festivals program manager to requests information and express his interest in the trumpeter`s band for next years edition.