The Dutch poet, Jules Deelder, has passed away after a short illness, NOS reports. He was 75 years old.
Deelder was a writer, poet, musician and performer. He wrote about topics like drugs, jazz, and the city of Rotterdam, where he was from.He worked with musicians like Herman Brood, Benjamin Herman and Bas van Lier to record his poetry and set it to music. Known for being direct and no-nonsense, he was given the honorary title of night mayor in the port city, after he helped to reinvigorate its nightlife.
Jules Deelder. Wat een enorme reus, multitalent, karakter. Volstrekt autonoom. Lak aan de wereld en tot vandaag aan alle natuurwetten.
Ondergewaardeerd als dichter. Want wat was hij goed.
Nooit een grote literaire prijs gekregen (schande!).
Wat een icoon. Ik ga hem missen.
— Frank Fabian van Keeren (@Frankeren) December 19, 2019
Although Deelder’s work is mostly in Dutch, you can still enjoy his love of jazz via this Spotify playlist. We’ll miss him.
Feature image: Wim de Jong/Flickr.
