Rood Adeo (Netherlands, 1970) contributed to many projects, varying from guest appearances, co-writing and arranging music for other artists, to translations, film and theatre music. Yet, the versatility of the singer, poet, composer en instrumentalist Rood Adeo is best characterized by his appearance as frontman of Nighthawks at the Diner, and his albums Fool’s Tango, Walkin’ On Eggs, Transit Cellophane and Perfect Life. His songs are being decribed as "jazz in a tango-vehicle, trashcan blues, harrowing ballads and grubby vaudeville suites". Nightclub music, melancholic yet raucous. With his latest album Mindful Indifference, Rood's stories are being put out in the open field. They breath air, some with life-affirming joy, some full of loneliness. A delicate album, on which Rood's timing and feel, his basic approach of bass and guitar in contrast with his lyrical touch on the piano and gorceous voice, all are being brought to daylight.
Personal lyrics, balanced arrangements and outstanding musicians provide the ingredients for the characteristic and touching sound of Rood's songs. Never superficial, hence diverse and layered. Indeed, you could talk about the fascinating lyrics or the intriguing voice of front man Rood, or about the variety of instruments and the virtuosity they’re being played with. Yet maybe, it’s all about ambiance. An ambiance, telling different stories and bringing back memories in every song.
In 1997, Rood Adeo debuts with his Nighthawks at the Diner-album Fool's Tango, introducing co-composers Frank de Kleer and Bob Wisselink. Fool's Tango is rewarded ‘album of the month’ in Music Maker, the foremost musicians’ magazine in The Netherlands. Surprisingly, Fay Lovsky appears on the duet You Invented Me. This debut album eventually leads to invitations to popular national radio programs and paves the way to the release on the label Challenge Records. In 1998, Nighthawks at the Diner is asked by Sony/Philips to record with the newly developed digital recording system SACD. This project results in the second album, Walkin’ On Eggs, published bij Challenge/Polygram.
In August 1998, Nighthawks at the Diner wins the Public and Press Award at the Sopot International Festival in Poland. In 1999, the single How About The Next Millennium is being released and Walkin’ On Eggs again presented at the Funkausstellung in Berlin. Rood’s ballad To Be A Man is released on the Polish Wroclaw Theatre Festival jubilee album by Luna Records with amongst others, Nick Cave and Cesaria Evora. Concerts at the Karlshamn Baltic Festival Sweden and the Wroclaw International Festival Poland follow shortly after.
In 2000, Rood releases a dreamy Portugese peace of work, in collaboration with fado-singer Emanuel Pessanha: Retrato, an intriguing, nontraditional fado album. For the Wroclaw Theatre Festival 2000 Weill-edition, Rood & Nighthawks at the Diner arrange four Kurt Weill-songs. Rood's versions of 'Stranger Here Myself' and 'Lost In The Stars' appear on Transit Cellophane and Perfect Life. In 2002 Rood releases his highly praised third Nighthawks at the Diner album Transit Cellophane, comprising 17 tracks, on the label NWR published by EMI. In 2005, Rood starts experimenting with a new line-up, letting go of his former steadfast formation. In August 2005, Rood performs in Denmark and records Jesse Mae Robinson’s The Other Woman for the Nina Simone tribute album Greetings From Nijmegen. On that same album, Rood accompanies Dutch Idols-finalist Maud Mulder on Everything Must Change.
In March 2006, Rood & Nighthawks at the Diner close down the Night of Poetry Festival at Vredenburg Concert Hall Utrecht. ‘Observant Spectator’ is being released on the DVD Dichters in Woord en Beeld (Poets in Word and Frame). In May 2006, Rood composes the music for Frank Boeijen’s song ‘Verloren Stad’ (Lost City), which is being released in November 2006 on the DVD As. In 2009, Rood releases his NATD-album Perfect Life in collaboration with producer Loek Schrievers, again with outstanding band members: Toon Meijer (saxes, clarinets) Pieter Klaassen and Loek Schrievers (guitars) Jan Flubacher (double bass) and Thijs Verwer (drums, percussion). In 2012, Rood Adeo releases his album Mindful Indifference.
Guest appearances: ROOD ADEO and his Nighthawks at the Diner have featured many performers, among whom vocalists DeeDee Bridgewater, Mich van Hautem, Dutch Idols finalist Maud Mulder, saxophonists Chester Washington, Miguel Boelens and Rinus Groeneveld, trumpet players Eef van Breen and Jarmo Hoogendijk, trombonist Bert Boeren, Zapp String Quartet and Jules Deelder on drums. Fay Lovsky appeared on the duet ‘You Invented me’. Bariton Ernst Daniël Smid appeared on the duet 'Baby Don't You Like My New Tattoo'.