Dutch saxophonist Henk van Twillert (1959) studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory Amsterdam with Ed Bogaard. He graduated for the Superior Soloist diploma “with distinction”. He taught for 25 years at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam and is currently the teacher at the ESMAE - the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts in Porto, Portugal.

In 1979 he co-founded the renowned “Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet” with whom he performed several remarkable concerts and tours. Highlights of the quartet are the opening to the Arena (Ajax soccer stadium) in 1996 and the final concert of the EXPO ’98 in Lisbon, Portugal. 


Since 1993 Henk van Twillert has been a highly successful recording artist. He is maybe best known for his recordings in 2001, of the world famous “Cello Suites” of Johann Sebastian Bach on the baritone saxophone. He recorded as a soloist with the Amsterdam Soloist Quintet alongside Sonja van Beek, which resulted in “Tango, a Homage to Astor Piazzolla”, and “Homage to Heitor Villa-Lobos”. Together with the Grammy awarded Portuguese singer, Carlos do Carmo, they recorded in 2002 the CD “Saudades”, after which they performed recently in the prestigious theatre “Carre” in Amsterdam. Since 2006 Henk van Twillert has been playing with Latvian Soprano Inessa Galante. Together they recorded the CD “Confesso” and performed at the Newport Music Festival in the USA.


Henk van Twillert has been performing with pianist Tjako van Schie since 1986. Having concluded many successful tours in countries such as; the Netherlands, Portugal, and the Dutch Antilles they presented their CD “A Bag of Music” in 2011.


In 2009 Henk moved to New York where he worked on his Ph.D. During this time he completed his first album “New York” as singer/bandleader; Mr. Henk & Band.
In 2012 the successful concert series “Meet the Artist” started in Amsterdam and Rotterdam where many musical colleagues joined him on stage.

 During his time as educator at the ESMAE he formed the saxophone ensembles “Vento do Norte” and the “Portuguese Saxophone Orchestra” which whom he concluded many tours in countries such as; Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Venezuela, and the Dutch Carribean.


Henk van Twillert works regularly with the saxophone class of El Sistema - National Network of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela.


In June 2013 Henk van Twillert finished his Ph.D. on “Bach’s Cello Suites Transcription and Interpretation for Baritone Saxophone”.


Henk van Twillert combines the shared love for music and teaching by giving master classes, workshops, and concerts all around the world.