Max Nijman

Max Reinier Nijman (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2016) was a Surinamese singer. Born in Suriname, he moved to the Netherlands in 1968. His song "Adjosi" ("Adieu"), which sings of the homesickness of Surinamese expatriates, became his signature song, and he one of Suriname's icons.

Max Nijman
Birth nameMax Reinier Nijman
Also known asSoulman Number One
Born(1941-03-18)March 18, 1941
Moengo, Suriname
DiedJanuary 19, 2016(2016-01-19) (aged 74)
Leiderdorp, Netherlands
GenresSoul, kaseko, latin ballad, reggae
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1957–2012

Biography

Nijman was born in Moengo, as the eighth of sixteen children. Gifted with a natural talent, he started singing in English, with cover versions of American soul and R&B artists, and had a breakthrough performance at age 16, singing a Brook Benton song at a football game.[1] He then moved on to singing in Sranan.[2][1]

In 1968, Nijman gave a well-attended farewell performance in Paramaribo (transmitted live on television) and moved to the Netherlands, where he signed to Dureco and released his debut solo-album Katibo in 1975. Besides the title track and "Ai Sranang", the song "Adjosi" became his best known song.[3] He then released the albums Wan Dei Lobi with The Stan Lokhin Band in 1977 and Ini Wan De in 1978.

In 2014, the label TopNotch released a compilation album of Nijman within a series named Sranan Gowtu (Surinamese Gold) devoted to Surinamese artists from the 1970s.[4]

Nijman died in Leiderdorp, Netherlands at the age of 74 on January 19, 2016. A grand farewell ceremony was held at the Paradiso.[5] On January 30, 2016, he was buried in Paramaribo.[6]

Discography
Albums
  • 1975 Katibo
  • 1977 Wan Dei Lobi
  • 1978 Ini Wan Dé

References
  1. Samwel, Diederik. "Max Nijman: Surinames soulman number one" (in Dutch). Network Star Suriname. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  2. "Surinaamse zanger Max Nijman (74) in Leiderdorp overleden" (in Dutch). Omroep West. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  3. "Max Nijman overleden (1941-2016)]" (in Dutch). Network Star Suriname. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  4. Sranan Gowtu Top Notch. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  5. 'Godfather van het Surinaamse lied' Max Nijman geëerd in Paradiso AT5. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  6. Uitvaartplechtigheid Max Nijman te volgen in Nederland Waterkant.net. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
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