Bram Wijnands, Stride Piano and Swing

Bram Wijnands, acclaimed as Kansas City’s “Ambassador of Swing,” is a dynamic jazz pianist renowned for his mastery of stride, boogie-woogie, and early swing. A classically trained musician, he began playing piano at age of three and later studied the works of Fats Waller, Meade Lux Lewis, and James P. Johnson. He graduated from the Hilversum Conservatory in the Netherlands, one of Europe’s top jazz institutions, where he also studied bass.

Since then, Bram has toured extensively across Europe, Russia, and the United States, performing at prestigious venues including Birdland, Mezzrow, Carnegie Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has collaborated with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Slide, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and performed at major festivals such as the Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival and the Breda Jazz Festival.

Bram is the founder of The Majestic Seven swing band and has been a staple performer at Kansas City’s Majestic Restaurant for over 28 years. He also served as Artist-in-Residence at the Endless Mountain Music Festival for 15 years. Known for his technical brilliance, period-authentic vocals, and infectious stage presence, Bram brings a joyful, timeless energy that makes every performance a true celebration of swing.