Ad Colen was born on July 12th 1961 in Geleen, Holland. In his formative years he played a variety of instruments, concentrating on the guitar for several years, before discovering his everlasting love: the saxophone. In 1990 he graduated from the Hilversum Conservatorium as a jazz musician, under the tuition of Adri van Velzen, Albert Beltman and Ferdinand Povel. His talent was already in demand in the professional arena - a year earlier, he performed in “Zeldzaam”, the pop musical written and directed by Jurre Haanstra. Later on he went to New York to study with Dick Oatts.
It was Colen's versatility that attracted attention. Modern jazz, Big Band, funk, rock and Afro Caribbean music have all passed through his repertoire. He has toured the United States, Morocco, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Greece with the Afro Caribbean group “P.I. Man et Memre Buku”. He has played with “New Metronome Big Band”, and the “Ruud Bos Big Band”. With the “Schoenmaker/Colen Quintet” he has explored the Dutch and Belgian jazz scene.
His technical and theoretical knowledge is continually developed through his own teaching at the Jazz Studio in Antwerp. Ensemble techniques and eartraining, and naturally the saxophone, are his key subjects. His musical performances are perpetually characterised by high quality and versatility. Whatever style he plays, Ad Colen plays with the best.
In 1997 the Ad Colen Quartet released their debut album “Naked” (Via Records) to wide critical approval. On “Naked” they are accompanied by Michiel Borstlap, winner of the Thelonius Monk Award 1997.In 2000 the quartet recorded their new album ' Eyes Wide Open' which was also received very well by the international musicpress.
Some other projects where Colen plays: “ Aliens” a dance/jazzproject with DJ Kipsky, Niña Morena,music that Tet Koffeman en Thijs Borsten composed on poets of Pablo Neruda, the Gé Bijvoet, Ad Colen duo, The Carla Bley Project of Jan van de Boomen, and VoodooJive a mix of african and dancemusic.In 2003 the Ad Colen Quartet did a very successfull tour throughout Indonesia. They were invited by the Erasmushuis in Jakarta.They performed in Yogjakarta, Bandung, Solo and Jakarta.Ad plays in a new band, the international jazzoctet Interzone of arranger/composer Jean paul Steeghs. This octet performs compositions of Jean Paul Steeghs,Marten Classen and Ad, all arranged by Jean Paul Steeghs.

Ad performed with amongst others: Masha Bijlsma, Tamara Maria, Rachel Gould, Greetje Kauffeld,Tet Koffeman,Lydia van Dam, Denise Jannah, Digna Janssen,Pauline van Schaik,Miett Molnar,Boris,Xander De Buisonjé,Michiel Borstlap,Tilmar Junius,Bertlt Bustra,Glenn Corneille,Dirk Balthaus,Jaco Benckhuizen,Emiel van Rijthoven, Heleen Schuttevaer, Wim Bronnenberg,Stefan Blankestein,Emiel van Egdom, Sander Hop,Floris,Wim Kegel,Tilmar Junius,Marc van Rooy,Hein van de Geyn,Wiro Mahieu,Alex Oele,Hans Mantel, Theo de Jong,Joost Lijbaart, Wim kegel,leon Klaassen,Roy Dackus, enz.

As a leader:

• 2005: Ad Colen Quartet, Bitter but Sweet (Sweet Briar Records)
• 2000 : Ad Colen Quartet, Eyes Wide Open, (Sweet Briar Music)
• 1997 : Ad Colen Quartet, Naked (Viarecords)

As sideman:

• 2005:Nonstop Cuban Descarga Alberto Muñoz Martinez Live at Rasa
• 2005:Trapperdetrap 2. Kindercd van Thijs Borsten met o.a. Peer de Graaf en Wende Snijders
• 2003 : Trapperdetrap 1. Kindercd van Thijs Borsten met o.a. Mathilde Santing en Peer de Graaf
• 2002 : cd Carla Bley project van het Jan van de Boomen septet
• 1999 : Ann Thomas, Secret dreams (A-records)
• 1994 : Lex van Wel Orchestra
• 1993 : Metronoom bigband1992 : Time design, Hands & Hearts

Equipment Ad Colen