Both in his paying and composing, Maarten Ornstein is always looking for new challenges, people to work with, rules to break and boundaries to cross. Exploration, mastering and mixing of new genres is at the heart of his musical life, which results in a huge diversity in his musical output. But regardless if he plays jazz with a pianist, music from the Baroque era with a lutist, traditional Arabic music with musicians from the Middle-East or free-funk with his trio, his voice on his instrument is always instantly recognisable. He combines explosive virtuosity with a strong lyrical talent and the ability to make every note count.