Calefax is a Dutch reed quintet formed in 1985. The ensemble consists of Oliver Boekhoorn, Bart de Kater, Raaf Hekkema, Jelte Althuis, and Alban Wesly. They perform classical music with a pop mentality, often playing from memory without sheet music. Their debut album, Wind Chamber Music, appeared in 1995. Calefax has commissioned over 200 pieces for reed quintet and performs arrangements of preexisting works spanning genres from Renaissance to jazz. Collaborations include the Orlando Consort, pianist Ivo Janssen, and jazz singer Denise Jannah. Discography releases include Hidden Gems (2018), Bach's Musical Offerings (2020), and An American Rhapsody (2023). They received the Philip Morris Art Prize (1997), the Kersjes van de Groenekan Prize (2001), and the VSCD Classical Music Prize (2005).
