Australian promoter receives Finland’s Order of the Lion

Music promoter Henk van Leeuwen, a regular importer of musical acts from Scandinavia, has been knighted into the Order of the Lion of Finland.

Dutch-born van Leeuwen, founded his business, Australia Northern Europe Liaisons, 21 years ago, explaining “my idea was to become a sort of bridging promotion entity, building musical, cultural exchange bridges between the Nordic countries and Australia.”

The first artist van Leeuwin brought out was Trio Toykeat (pictured below) from Finland in 1994, with assistance from a not-for-profit Finnish institute.

Later, for Norwegian saxophonist Jan Gabarek, he hired the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Concert Hall "and it worked."

As a passionate jazz follower, van Leeuwen has since promoted artists like the acclaimed Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, backing tours in sizeable venues.

Commenting on his knighthood, van Leeuwen stated “(this) was a most rewarding experience for me and I feel truly honoured and indeed appreciated by the state of Finland for honouring me like this.”

Image of Henk van Leeuwen courtesy of Tom Koprowski.

Click here for more information on Australia Northern Europe Liaisons.