Bart van Helsdingen (1959)    Drums / Steelpan / Composer

 

Bart tells stories on his drum kit.

 

Because he often plays to an audience with little musical background his solo performances in secondary schools are clear and transparent.

Cross rhythmical patterns accompanied by a clear pulse with his feet make it easy to follow his play.

 

As a young boy he was already fascinated to listen when the bells were rung on Sunday morning. And preferably in conversation to the bells of another church some distance away.

At first, it seems the bells each take their own tempo. Yet a regularity tempo can be heard.

(Especially when the sexton also appears to have a sense of rhythm.)

 

Bart wants to achieve in general inimitable drum solos through clear statements, structure and shape will sound as music to the ears.

 

Besides the drum solos he plays his own pieces on Steelpan and Kalimba.

 

For drummers appears during the clinics much to enjoy through his far-reaching techniques.

 

In daily life Bart struggles from time to time with words in communication.

But like a stutterer who can burst into in a beautiful song, Bart has his drums to communicate.

 

He studied successfully at the ‘Sweelinck Conservatory’ and the ‘Rotterdam Conservatory’.

 

Already during his studies he developed into a much demanded drummer.

In the eighties and nineties he played with many leading jazz and rock ensembles and grew into one of the popular Dutch drummers.

 

He worked among others with Django Edwards, Vera Vingerhoeds, Jonny Meijer, Arnold Dooyeweerd, Available Jelly, Carel Kraayenhof and Hans van Manen. In Lois Lane, with the rock band the Dead motherfuckers and Emma Peel.

With Azilut! he toured many times through England.

Nowadays he plays with Robert Rook Trio and his own trio with Leo Bouwmeester on Piano and Arjen Gorter on Bass.

 

His drumming is several times awarded:

 

o Nomination Best Jazz Drummer of the Netherlands 1988,1994, 

    1996 and 2002

o Grand Prix of the Netherlands with Vijf Slag 1 Wijd

o Jazz Soloists Price JazzFestival ‘Au bout du Monde’ Reinier 

   (France 2005)

 

Besides his work as a freelance drummer Bart van Helsdingen is also active in other areas. For over 20 years he has been performing solo percussion concerts for high schools and recently also for primary schools.

 

Among his other activities, he is composing for public service broadcasters, film, theater and advertising.

 

In the late nineties he plays Joop van den Ende's musical My Fair Lady with Paul van Vliet.

 

In early 2002, together with Carel Kraayenhof, he performed 5 Tangos by Astor Piazzolla with the National Ballet, choreographed by Hans van Manen.

 

He plays in Dogtroup and composed the opening musical piece for the Frankfurt Book Fair (2004).

 

In 2006, he composes a Children's Theatre production ‘ Sprookje van Steen’. He acts in it as well.

It had been performed over 75 times in the Netherlands and Belgium.

 

In 2008 and 2009 he toured with One Plus One in Germany and Spain.

 

Late 2010 and early 2011 there were 3 CD releases of his own music:

 

o Mahalia's Baby -  Sound Designs with Steelpan.

o Good Nature     -  Music in a B movie

o Global Jungle   -  Drum & Bass with movie dialogues

 

He just completed recording an Album with the Robert Rook trio, with whom he frequently performs.