Cor Bakker (born 1961 in Landsmeer) is a Dutch pianist, composer and orchestra leader widely regarded as one of the most versatile musicians in the Netherlands. He graduated cum laude from the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam in 1984, then studied in Los Angeles with composer-pianist Clare Fischer. For eleven years he was the resident pianist of the Metropole Orkest, and he became a household name through his long collaboration with television entertainer Paul de Leeuw. Since 2023 he has served as house pianist on the NPO 2 classical music programme Podium Klassiek.
Cor Bakker performed in January 2026 in the theater show 'Ramses Enzo' together with Maarten Heijmans, among others in Amsterdam, Dronten and Assen.
Bakker is again the house pianist of Podium Klassiek on NPO 2 in the 2025-2026 season, which broadcasts this season from a new studio in Hilversum.
With his jazz trio, Bakker released two new albums in 2025.
Bakker performed in 2026 at the Musicians Paradise Festival together with bassist Jeroen Vierdag and drummer Frits Landesbergen.
His composition 'Dijkwacht', a requiem for the deceased pianist Louis van Dijk, entered at position 42 in the NPO Klassiek Klassieke Top 400 in 2024 - the highest new entry ever in that list.
A try-out performance of 'The Golden Years' with Erik van Muiswinkel and Cor Bakker at ATLAS Theater in Emmen.
Baritone Thomas Oliemans performs world-famous songs from Brel to Bennett, accompanied by pianists Cor Bakker and Bert van den Brink.
The Cool Jazzfestival returns for its second edition, featuring a tribute to Toots Thielemans with pianist Cor Bakker and harmonica virtuoso Hermine Deurloo.
Jazz musicians Cor Bakker and David Linx perform their collaborative project Crossroads, an intimate musical exchange between two experienced performers.
Pianist Cor Bakker and actor-singer Maarten Heijmans perform an intimate theatre concert featuring Ramses Shaffy classics, works by Maarten van Roozendaal and Jacques Brel.
Cor Bakker and David Linx perform together in Dronten, two musicians with a natural musical rapport.
Pianist Cor Bakker and Brussels-born singer David Linx perform their programme Crossroads, blending chansons and jazz with interpretations of songs by Joni Mitchell, Jacques Brel and others.
Erik van Muiswinkel and Cor Bakker present 'De Gouden Jaren', a theatre show combining archival newsreel footage, historical images and classic songs and stories.
