Artists
who's who and who's doing what?LUCAS VAN MERWIJK
- country:Netherlands
- style(s):Jazz Latin
- label:Tam Tam Records
- type:Band, Solist
- gender:male
- instrumentation:instrumental
- artist submitted by:
Lucas van Merwijk
Drums & percussion
Ever since he was a kid, drummerLucas van
Merwijk, born in 1961, has been under the spell of
drums.
He was elected 'Best Jazz drummer' in the Benelux
countries by the readers of "De Slagwerkkrant" (a
professional Dutch Drum magazine) for six years
running (1993-1999). Furthermore, he was elected
best Fusiondrummer in the Benelux in 1994, 1995,
1996, 1999, 2004 and 2005.
After an intensive study of Afro-Cuban drums with
drummer Oscarito Valdes (Irakere) in Cuba, Lucas
van Merwijk is now very actively involved with
various groups and artists throughout Europe, and
in particular with the internationally acclaimed
group Nueva Manteca.
At the moment Lucas is the bandleader of four
groups: His own trio with Randal Corsen and Jeroen
Vierdag, Drumix with Aly N'Diaye Rose, the world-
percussion ensemble Drums United and the 20
piece Cubop City Big Band.
Apart from that, he has appeared in a lot of
television and radio shows and can be heard on
many CDs. As a percussionist he has collaborated
with many bands, on recordings and productions.
All of these experiences have made him develop his
own special style, a mix of Cuban, Brazilian and
North American rhythms, characterized by powerful
percussion and splendid technical skills.
His passion for the Latin big band sound made him
put together his CuBop City Big Band. The CD More
& More came third place on Max Salazar's top-ten
of the Best Latin CDs of 1998 in the New York
magazine Latin Beat.
Lucas runs his own record label called Tam Tam
Records. Van Merwijk teaches regularly at the World
Music Department of the Rotterdam Academy of
Music and the Sweelinck Conservatory in
Amsterdam.
He has often been invited to teach masterclasses in
percussion and drums at many renowned
international, European and American music
institutes.
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