Deep Trip: DJ Maestro’s Return to the Dancefloor, Rooted in Jazz
After years of bridging jazz and electronic music, DJ Maestro embarks on a deeper journey with Deep Trip – a lush, late-night blend of house rhythms and soulful textures that reflects his ever-evolving sound and timeless vision.
From crate-digging jazz enthusiast to one of the most respected curators in the genre-blending world of music, Dutch DJ and producer Martijn Barkhuis, known worldwide as DJ Maestro, has built his career on bridging the timeless soul of jazz with the evolving sounds of modern music.
His journey began with a deep love for jazz and a curiosity for how classical sounds could live and breathe in new forms. That passion eventually led him to create the iconic Blue Note Trip series, a project that would cement his reputation as both a tastemaker and a storyteller through sound.
When Blue Note Records entrusted him with their legendary catalog in the early 2000s, Maestro didn’t just remix songs; he reimagined them. Through a masterful blend of timeless jazz recordings and modern grooves, he introduced a new generation to the magic of artists like Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, and Nina Simone.
Each volume of Blue Note Trip felt like a cinematic experience that brought together smoky lounges, dancefloors, and headphones from around the world. His mixes didn’t just play music; they painted moods.
That same reverence and innovation came to life again in 2015, when Maestro took on Little Girl Blue Remixed — a bold reinterpretation of Nina Simone’s iconic 1958 debut.
The project walked a fine line between tribute and transformation, earning praise for its emotional depth and creative approach. It was yet another example of how Maestro can touch sacred ground without ever losing his forward momentum.
Beyond the decks and compilations, DJ Maestro has continued to evolve — collaborating with jazz bands, electronic producers, and film directors. Whether scoring a scene or crafting a downtempo groove, his work carries a signature blend of soul, warmth, and thoughtful precision.
He remains a cultural connector: honoring the roots of jazz while pushing its boundaries into new and exciting territory.
DJ Maestro now returns with Deep Trip, a new compilation on Black Hole Recordings that dives into the deeper side of house, swapping funk’s sharp edges for warm grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and soulful textures.
Available as a mixed CD and a triple vinyl set of unmixed tracks, it’s an invitation to slow down, sink in, and let the music move you.
