Jules Deelder | |
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![]() Jules Deelder in 2015 | |
Born | Julius Anton Deelder 24 November 1944 Rotterdam, Netherlands |
Died | 19 December 2019 Rotterdam | (aged 75)
Language | Dutch |
Education | HBS |
Genres | Poetry, comedy |
Years active | 1960–2019 |
Notable awards | Anna Blaman Prijs (1988) |
Jules Anton Deelder (24 November 1944 – 19 December 2019) was a Dutch poet, spoken word poet and writer.[1] His poems cover topics such as life in the city of Rotterdam, drug use,[2] and jazz. He was very passionate about the Dutch language and feared that European integration would cause smaller languages like Dutch to become a "folkloric" curiosity.[3] He was well known in the Netherlands for his live performances and appearances in Dutch popular media.[4] He collaborated with musicians and bands such as Herman Brood, Benjamin Herman and Bas van Lier to record and perform his poetry.[5][6] His prominent role in the cultural life of Rotterdam earned him the nickname "night mayor of Rotterdam."[7][8]
In 1954, Deelders discovered jazz at the age of 9 when he first heard Chet Baker. It gave him goose bumps, and jazz would become his religion.[9] Deelder was the presenter of his own jazz radio show, Deelder Draait, on Arrow Jazz FM.[10] [11] He also wrote scripts for the comic book series Amber en Akka and Professor Hilarius, drawn by Rob Peters.[12] He furthermore inspired a celebrity comic of his own, Juul Deeldert, drawn by Vick Debergh. [13]