The Little Cafe By The Harbor

On a rainy afternoon in 1975 the Dutch producer and song writer Pierre Kartner {aka Vader (Father) Abraham) was sitting at a table near the window in a café in Hoorn, waiting for a photographer. This photographer actually never did show up. Mr. Kartner observed the daily activitieson the harbor just in front of the café and noticed the friendly and relaxed atmosphere inside the café. He picked-up a few beer-coasters and made notes from what he had observed. He took the coasters back home. But the visit to this café always remained lingering in his head. One night when he could not sleep, he picked-up the coasters again and within half an hour he had composed the song "Het Kleine Café aan de Haven" literally translated: "The Little Café at the Harbor". This song quickly became very popular and attracted the attention of many international artists. The English version of this song eventually became to be known as "The Red Rose Café". In 2002 André Rieu and the JSO also recorded this song. André wanted to present the CD with this song on it to Mr. Kartner and it was Mr. Kartner who insisted this should take place in the original café, called:" 't Schippershuis" (Sailor's house) in Hoorn. Imagine, inside a small café, the entire JSO especially the ladies in full dress!