Y.O.P.E.

Y.O.P.E. is the music project of The Hague-based bassist Joop de Graaf. As a producer, composer, bandleader, and bassist for this project, he writes and works a bit differently than most main artists. Joop stands in the back and is the brain, while the body consists of the other band members. As a bassist, he provides a supporting role that carries the music and the soloists rather than allowing himself to be carried.

That’s why Y.O.P.E. has a base sauce of groove-based beat music. The spices Joop uses in this sauce are based on his affinity for futuristic, electronic, and experimental jazz music. While tradition remains alive, there’s no fear of venturing off the beaten track. The themes are played, but whathappens in between remains a mystery to the listener and the musicians. And the musician is the biggest listener.