Lucas van Merwijk
drummer
Drummer Lucas van Merwijk, a prominent figure in European Jazz, Latin, and percussion for over 35 years, earned accolades as ‘Best Jazz Drummer’ and ‘Best Fusion Drummer’ in the Benelux countries from 1993 to 2020. After immersive studies of Afro-Cuban drums in Cuba during the early eighties, he engaged in diverse musical projects. Currently leading ensembles like Drums United, Van Merwijks Music Machine, and The Cubop City Big Band, he showcases a distinctive style melding Cuban, Brazilian, and North American rhythms. As a sought-after drummer and educator worldwide, he imparts his percussion and technical prowess. Van Merwijk, a staff teacher at the Jazz department of the Amsterdam Conservatory since 1986, received the Global Act Award in 2010 for sustained success in world music. In 2013, he authored the drum books World Beat and Advanced Coordination Studies (2017).
- I’m here at jazzahead! to expand our international network and establish valuable connections in both the musician community and the industry. It’s a prime opportunity to engage with professionals, explore new artistic possibilities, and foster collaborations. I believe in the significance of ongoing growth and the exchange of creative ideas, and jazzahead! provides an ideal environment for this.