René van Helsdingen (born February 25, 1957, Jakarta, Indonesia) is a distinguished Dutch jazz pianist, composer, producer, and cultural entrepreneur whose career spans over 40 years. Known for his innovative fusion of jazz with traditional and world music, René has released numerous albums and led groundbreaking projects that bridge cultures, such as the acclaimed Stage Bus—a mobile performance venue that has brought jazz and cross-disciplinary art to audiences across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.
Throughout his career, René has collaborated with prominent musicians, including Indonesian jazz master Luluk Purwanto, and has produced multimedia projects blending music, film, and visual arts. Notable works include Mahabharata Jazz & Wayang, Born Free, and more recently, The Gift of Life, a multimedia album combining seven artistic disciplines.
René’s work extends beyond music into cultural diplomacy and social engagement, exemplified by his peace and friendship tours honoring Canadian WWII veterans and his extensive efforts to promote jazz in Indonesia. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018, René has continued to adapt and innovate, creating deeply personal projects that explore themes of coping, resilience, and transformation through jazz and improvised music.
His lifelong dedication to music education, cultural exchange, and artistic collaboration has earned him recognition as a pioneering figure in contemporary jazz and world music circles.
