Hammond!-Keys-Producer-Mixer

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Years ago I had a Jazz-Rock trio, with some really great musicians - a guitarist & a drummer - and myself playing the Hammond organ, Bass-pedas & add. keys. We recorded 5 pieces (all originals, 3 of them are composed by the guitarist which i find really great songs! It was a hot summer day when we recorded the 5 songs, we had lots of fun, but we lacked the money to let it be mixed. Everytime i listen to it makes me feel proud, happy & blessed..... But also i feel the urge to "put it out", specially now that i can mix. And that's exactly what i will do, mix it & release it so everybody can hear us! The band is called "Urban Kinetik" & the first song is almost ready! So stay tuned! :-)

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Not at the moment, but from what i see on SoundBetter makes me a bit humble. A lot of people here with great references, good looking profiles & lots of talents! It also makes me aware that everyone can have his place in this (music) world & that makes me more determined to prove what i'm worth :-)

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: None at the moment, but please feel free to ask me anything regarding music / production/ recording!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on my own music; with La Liana on her very much Latin-infused popsongs & with Ivy-One, a truly great vocalist from the Netherlands, on her newest productions which combines Dance with Americana, Lounge & bit of Jazz...

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Apart for some analog instruments that i own, i only work "in the box". After everything is recorded & programmed in the DAW i stay there & mix "in the box". Why? because now i don't own anything else :-)

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: My skills in music will add up to your music/production. Specialy if you look out for a keyboardist with a jazzy, funky, improvisational & harmonic input.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The music, creativity & the people - instrumentalists, vocalists - that are skilled and keep developing.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I did not encounter one yet.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: If a client knows what he/she wants, the better. Although i like to get creative, at some point you need to draw the line, kill your darlings, make it work and finish the song/production.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Hammond A100, Kawai piano, Espresso machine, PC, Ribbon mic

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: Playing: 30+ years / Producing: 2+ years

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Funky, jazzy, playfull, exploring

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When a client approaches me for work i will first like to know more about his/her music, experience & idea's about the client's music & client's expectations for the job. If we agree on the job then i start listening to client's music and explore the possibillities for adding whatever we agreed on. For keyboard / Hammond parts i tend to do two versions of a part and choose what seems to be the best sounding & fitting for the song. Mostly i also come up with additional idea's for backings, rhytmical movements etc...

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: People - vocalists & musicians - who are not "stuck" in their genre & open for brainstorming for other options to fit in their music. And lately, i am listening to progressive metal like Meshuggah, which is mostly infused with heavy guitars and odd, groovy funky rhythms which i think is really good, awesome with an uncomparable skillset, but i think that an Hammond would really lift up their music

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I would always recommend to look out for musical expressions & try fit that into your music, even if you find it's not usually done in the genre you mainly work in.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Jazz is in the centre of my approach to music - improvising, harmonies - but always gets infected by funk-like grooves, electronica en lots of other stuff concerning modern approach of producing. Which means i am not a purist; i try to pick-up the vibe of the song and proceed on that musical path.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Playing the Hammond & using it as a soundscape, it's such a versatile instrument; making the arrangement work out well for the song; programming drums & percussion

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my Hammond & Minitaur and my 30+ years of experience & musical education in jazz & latin and all things concerning rhythm & groove. Improvising; i like solo's in songs (if the client is open for it & if it fits the song)... and humor :-)

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's a small studio in a garage, big enough to pull in a home-studio set-up, a big Hammond with 2 Leslies and a bunch of synth's, microphones & recording gear.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: If anyone here knows them, but Tribal Tech really inspires me in terms of sound, musical "togetherness", composing, mixing & the mix of "jazz & rock" they have. Furthermore great latin-artists like Tania Maria, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Djavan. Funketeers like Herbie Hancock, Parliament, Tower of Power (with special mention of Chester Thompson on Hammond!), Jimmy Smith, Charlie Parker... Big Band music, records from Robert Glasper, Eddie Harris, Bill Bruford's "Masterstrokes"... i think i could go on forever :-)

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Mostly producing & recording Hammond and keyboard parts. Sometimes i'm asked to co-write a part of a song which i love doing. I compose my own songs too; i specialy like harmonies a lot because they bring great atmosphere, moods & tension into a song, even with nice simple melodies.