The project ‘Interconnector’ conducted by Rutger van Leyden.

''About ten years ago, I heard the Steve Martland Band perform at the Frascati theatre in Amsterdam. The excitement of Steve’s music, the precision and stamina of the musicians and above all the awareness that THIS could also be ‘modern music’ (the band, the sound, the players, the ‘wit’, the guts…) made the concert an unequalled experience. If we WERE going to play this music however, how could we NOT commit plagiarism? Yet we played ‘Horses of Instruction’ and ‘Danceworks’ at the ‘Klap op de Vuurpijl’ together with works of two of Steve’s students, Jeremy Benhammoe and Joe Duddell.Following up this project, slightly flirtatious with the sound and groove of the Steve Martland Band, Combustion Chamber has been transformed into a band.‘Interconnector’ (2003-2004) reflects the desire to connect different musical worlds with each other. Furthermore, the ‘interconnector’ is a vital part within the engine of the combustion chamber itself. We considered ‘Horses’ an ‘example’ for other compositions. Accordingly, we were looking for congenial composers who were going to write for us. We had worked before with John Korsrud, Renske Vrolijk and Toek Numan, Frank Crijns’ band ‘Blast’ offered an artistic starting point for a commission whereas John De Simone struck me with his extreme and flamboyant compositions. ‘Interconnector’ was well received by the audience and press, alike. A typical revue reads:‘Combustion Chamber Overwhelms’ — RUTGER VAN LEYDEN