Coming from a diverse musical background, Joost Zoeteman gravitated toward the guitar at an early age, but it was in his late teens that he immersed himself in the music of Django Reinhardt and the rich culture of the Sinti. That early passion still resonates in his musical voice today.

In the years that followed, his interests expanded toward more contemporary forms of jazz, inspiring him to explore broader harmonic palettes and improvisational freedom. To deepen his artistry, he studied with acclaimed jazz guitarists such as Peter Leitch, Roni Ben-Hur, and others, whose mentorship helped refine his technique and broaden his musical vocabulary.

Zoeteman’s distinctive style blends gypsy jazz roots with modern jazz sensibilities, world influences, and a strong melodic drive. “This is music with balls, artistry, and attitude from a player who has chops for days,” wrote Just Jazz Guitar about his playing.

He currently leads two main ensembles: the Joost Zoeteman Trio, with award-winning drummer Wim de Vries and bassist Bart Tarenskeen, and a quartet with gypsy jazz virtuoso Paulus Schäfer. With the latter, he has performed at major festivals and shared the stage with guitar greats such as Stochelo Rosenberg.

In collaboration with Schäfer, Zoeteman released several albums that explore the intersection of tradition and innovation within the gypsy jazz idiom. In 2022, he debuted as a trio leader with Standard - No Standard, an album that reimagines jazz standards with bold interpretations and original twists, highlighting his dynamic, expressive sound.

His performances have brought him to respected stages such as the Hidrelliz Festival in Istanbul, the North Sea Jazz Festival, Djangofollies, and the Khamoro Festival, where he has established himself as a versatile and thoughtful guitarist with a distinctive voice.