Dennis van Aarssen
Souvenirs: A Tribute to the Great Crooners

Souvenirs is the deliberately chosen title of jazz singer Dennis van Aarssen’s fifth studio album, set for release in the fall of 2025. The album features ten personal interpretations of classic jazz standards and one original composition—the title track. “These are all musical souvenirs I picked up at various moments in my life. Each one holds a special meaning for me,” says the crooner. But there’s more to it. Dennis van Aarssen is a man on a mission. “I see it as my mission to bring jazz music to a wide and diverse audience, and to keep the legacy of the great crooners alive. Souvenirs is my way of doing just that.”

Ever since Dennis van Aarssen won The Voice of Holland in 2019, he has focused on writing, recording, and releasing mostly original material. With that original work, created in collaboration with renowned pianist/composer Jeff Franzel and lyricist Maria Christensen, among others, he has won two prestigious Edison Jazz Awards and performed live in Belgium, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. However, the idea of recording an album of jazz classics has been on his mind since 2019. “I was advised to focus on original music first. So I did. My first four albums are filled with original songs. Now the time feels right to record and release the songs that I’ve always loved, that I grew up with, and that all mean something to me. Life is a journey, and along the way, you collect musical souvenirs. I’ll carry these songs with me forever, so it’s amazing to finally release them myself.”

Going Viral
Besides his personal love for the repertoire, another major driving force behind the album is Dennis’s self-declared mission to keep the music of the great crooners alive. “That’s what Robbie Williams’ Swing When You’re Winning did for me back in 2001. At first, I thought those songs were all his. Then I started searching online and discovered old recordings and legendary albums. I found so much beautiful music that way. If I can do that for a younger audience—even if it’s just a handful of people—that’s incredibly special. I have 700,000 followers on TikTok and 300,000 on Instagram. Over 65% of my Spotify listeners are under the age of 35. I reach a young audience. On my previous, fourth studio album Just Call It Love, I included She by Charles Aznavour. The clips I posted singing that song went viral instantly.”

Authentic and Pure
While most of the songs on Souvenirs are recognized jazz classics, the album sounds remarkably fresh and modern. Where his previous album Just Call It Love leaned into intimate and understated arrangements, this time Dennis worked with 27 studio musicians and embraced lush, expansive orchestrations. The result: a collection that honors the classics while carrying his unique artistic stamp. “Our approach varied from song to song. Take Feeling Good by Nina Simone or Michael Bublé, for instance. We sat down with the band, some truly gifted musicians, and jammed until we found something fresh. The drummer took off with a high-energy groove, and it just worked. You could hear the excitement in the room. But for other songs, like My Way, we stayed close to the original. That song is already so powerful and heartfelt, there’s no need to reinvent it.”
“These are classic songs, of course, but they need to sound like they belong in the present. I try to bring them with a young, fresh energy because I believe that speaks to both my own generation and others. It has to be authentic. It’s all about purity and honesty, that’s absolutely essential in honoring this music with dignity.”
Dennis personally curated the final song selection: “I asked my fans and followers which songs they thought should be on the album. Hundreds responded with suggestions. I also looked at which of my videos on social media had the biggest impact. My Way had over a million views and Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley was another standout. I used that feedback to guide the selection, but the final choices were all mine.”