Lucas Van Helsdingen

Dutch classical clarinetist, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist who plays on a wide range of woodwind/reeds, from oboe and traditional shawm to microtonal instruments custom-built to perform music by Harry Partch. Lucas van Helsdingen co-founded Calefax Reed Quintet with his schoolmates from Barlaeus Gymnasium Amsterdam in 1985 and played with the ensemble until '94. He also extensively collaborated with Scordatura Ensemble, constructing several Partch instruments for the "Rose Petal Jam" 2017-18 tour, including Tin Oboe and Mazda Marimba (built jointly by Lucas with Christian and Elisabeth Smalt, Chris Rainier, Charles van Gelder, Alfrun Schmid and Harm Mouw.)