Drum Clinic with Niek de Bruijn | Drummer for Alain Clark, Candy Dulfer & Bankzitters | Free!

Niek de Bruijn is one of Europe's most sought-after drummers. He has played with Candy Dulfer, Sheila E. and Snarky Puppy, and performed in venues from Ziggo Dome to Blue Note Tokyo. On Sunday, 18 October, he gives an exclusive drum clinic at Poppodium Phoenix.

The clinic is organized in collaboration with three Breda drum schools: Drumschool Mark Eeftens, Drumschool Peter Scheffer and Lucifers Slagwerk. For this afternoon, Poppodium Phoenix transforms into a classroom for everyone who wants to develop further behind the drum kit. Gretsch supports the clinic.

Niek grew up with soul and funk, and studied jazz at conservatory. In 2013 he won the Erasmus Jazz Prize and a year later graduated from Codarts Rotterdam. Since then he has toured with Alain Clark, Lucy Woodward, TOINE and the Paradox Jazz Orchestra, and played with Philip Lassiter (ex-Prince), Typhoon, Fresku, the Dolly Dots and the Metropole Orkest. This has taken him from North Sea Jazz and Ronnie Scott's in London to a festival in Nairobi for 20,000 children. He feels at home in every style: tight in a pop show, free in a swinging big band, always with a groove that makes the band soar. He also shares his knowledge as a teacher at the conservatory and the Rockacademie in Tilburg.

During the clinic, Niek explains what makes a groove sound good, how to switch between funk, pop, soul and big band jazz without losing your own sound, and how to serve the band as a drummer while still being yourself. He also demonstrates this live behind the kit.

Doors open at 14:30, the clinic starts at 15:00 and entry is free. You can stay afterwards, as the weekly Sunday Jamsession at Phoenix starts at 18:00. Feel free to bring your sticks or instrument, and food is available during the jam session.