Jennifer Barnett posted this in her feed and it caught our eye.
Musicboat Amsterdam
If, like us, you were curious to know more about this extraordinary and wonderful human being who brings us all joy, we found out a little about him.
Reinier Sijpkens is the Captain of the Musicboat. He is as you imagine him to be, full of life and whimsy, delighted to bring happiness to others. The wheel he is turning is not to steer his boat. It is a hand organ that plays music on a series of cards with perforated holes. In addition he plays his trumpet, sometimes whistles with his bear hands, all the while steering the boat with the occasional jab of his elbow on the outboard.
Such organs have long played an important role in street culture. Taking one into a canal on such a tiny boat inches above the waterline and handling it so effortlessly captured our nautical hearts.
Perhaps the most famous organ song is “Tulips from Amsterdam” which is a delightful waltz that you will hear, sometimes a little too much, from organs placed in busy shopping districts. For some people, these are corny and well past their time. We still like them, in moderation. Musicboat takes the art form to a whole new level.
Reinier’s art is on apple music including our favorite version of the national anthem which is sweet and light in his rendering music.apple.com/us/albu…
This is his YouTube channel which seems terribly under subscribed youtube.com/@reiniermuz…
This is a short video of his leadership and imagination fighting corona in one of our darkest times.
Going Dutch! 🇳🇱 believes the world needs more Reinier Sijpkens!