Boy Edgar put Dutch jazz on the map. But what some musical colleagues never knew was that the flamboyant Edgar led a most curious double life. He could not choose between a musical and a medical career. He wanted it all.

Boy Edgar (Amsterdam, 1915-1980) played the jazz bars at night and was a world-renowned neuroscientist by day. He founded Boy's Big Band and started working as a general practitioner in the new multicultural neighbourhood called Bijlmermeer. He was an advisor for the very first abortion clinic in the Netherlands.

He constantly moved between professional interest and emotional involvement – an intellectual spirit with distinguished dynamics, a lust for life and destructive behaviour. He always wanted to help others but could never face his problems.

He had his moral compass. He was a hero of the resistance in WWII, a dedicated husband who would drop everything to fulfil the last wishes of his dying wife. His life was grand and vivacious, which led to the inevitable mistakes. He failed to finish compositions and kept his patients waiting in the morning.

He died in 1980, run down and felled by alcohol. The story of his life is the story of fifty years of Dutch jazz and the story of the social-medical history of the Netherlands. A commemoration was held for his 100th birthday in 2015

'Everybody should know Boy Edgar.' - Matthijs van Nieuwkerk in De Wereld Draait Door

'You could make a movie about his life.' - Hans Dulfer

'Hi, this is a special message for my dear friend Boy Edgar. I am on the 65th floor but I would even be higher if I could hear your music right now.' - Duke Ellington

'He is one of the Dutch geniusses. I hope you recognize this. A doctor, a neuroscientist - famous all over the world. I know him as a first class musician. He is a genius and I am happy I can call him my friend.' - Nina Simone

'The story of his life should be told.' - Frank Jochemsen, Radio 6