Biography Wim de Vries
Born: August 9th 1970 - Dieren (NL)
Wim's parents loves good music and they, somehow, inspired him in the decission
to become one of the greatest drummers of today. His mother is a fanatic choir
singer and his father is a piano player who is a great fan of the jazzmusic of
Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Errol Garner etc.
Because his brother joined a marchingband Wim also wanted to play in a
marchingband. He started playing snaredrum and after a while he also played
trumpet. In this period he won several individual snaredrum contests. As a
teenager he joined his fathers band on drums and played on party's, weddings.
Wim played in the big band of the musicschool and he formed his own band with
his cousin, called "2000 Miles",
At the age of 16, the passion to become a drummer, became so big that Wim
decided to study at the Arnhem Conservatory. As young as he was then, it was
during that periode he formed a trio with pianist Marcus Schinkel and bassist Bas
Rietmeijer:The Marcus Schinkel Trio. They recorded two cd's and they still play
together. Also during his period at the Conservatory, Wim was the drummer in a
wellknown trio: The Arnhem Jazztrio. Together with his buddy, Johan van der
Kouwe (the pianoplayer of the Arnhem Jazztrio) Wim went to Berklee College of
Music in Boston (USA). This was possible because of a scholarship of the VSB
Foundation.
During the time he was still a student, it became more clearer, that Wim had a
specific talent; the talent to become a great drummer.He toured and recorded
worldwide with bands like Oostenwind, JazzFactor.
Even as a bigband drummer Wim impressed everybody. He toured with the
famous Glenn Miller Orchestra through Europe.In this period he started also to
play solo clinics/concerts for Sonor and Paiste.
From 1999 till 2005 Wim had a job in several Musicaltheatre Productions in
Holland. Having the experience to play almost everyday in Productions like that,
Wim made the decission in 2005 to work more at his own musical career instead
of being "only" a side-man. And that wasn't a bad idea.
Cause if we look to the day of today: Wim formed a duo with Drummer Rene
Creemers they call themselves: The Drumbassadors. They do clinics and concerts
all over the world. Wim played already on every worldfamous and important
drummermeeting/festival where he played with drummers like: Steve Gadd, Virgil
Donati,Steve Smith, Will Kennedy etc.
A few nice recordings of Wim de Vries:
The A.J.T. (The Arnhem Jazz Trio)
Marcus Schinkel Band - The first of a million tones
Oostenwind - Stratusphunk
The JazzFactor - Flying
Wim de Vries - Groovability to swing
Chicago The Musical
Saturday Night Fever
3 Musketiers
DVD Drumbassadors - Volume I
DVD Drumbassadors Live in New York (Modern Drummer Festival 2003)
DVD Ultimate Drummer Weekend Melbourne (Australia)
Wim is endorser for:
Sonor Drums
Paiste Cymbals
Regal Tip Sticks
Remo Drum Heads
Beyer Dynamic Microphones
Protection Racket Transportation Systems
Interviews with Wim appeared in Magazines like:
Drums and percussion (Germany)
Sticks (Germany)
Modern drummer (U.S.A.)
Slagwerkkrant (Holland)
Drummer magazine (U.K.)
Drumscene (Australië)
Music & Show (Holland)