Bert's Musical Journey
Explore the key events and achievements in Bert's career through this chronological timeline. Allow the page to load...
24 july 1958
Birth
Bert van den Brink is born. (The audio below is really Bert himself...!)
And a little later...
1963
piano recording
The moment an organ and piano got in the house, Bert started playing with it. The audio below is his first recording at age 5 before having had any teacher or lesson! It is obvious how extra-ordinary Bert's brains already operate musically without having had a teacher yet.
1964
1st piano lesson
At age 5, Bert gets his first piano lesson
1965
Jules de Corte
At age 6, Bert meets the blind artist Jules de Corte. Bert is very impressed and Jules will play an important role in Bert's life.
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1967
Hammond Competition
At 8 years old, being autodidact on Hammond organ, Bert wins the 4th price in the Hammond Competition in Utrecht. Listen to the interview with Jan Fillekers (later Farce Majeur).
1973
1st Prize NVG
At 15 years old, Bert wins the competition from the Nederlandse Vereniging Geluid- en Beeldregistratie (www.beeldgeluid.nl) with a cover of the band Ekseption.
More prizes with multitracking
With the compositions below more prizes were won.
Click for more information.
Singing Glass got the first prize in the national contest organized by the NVG – Nederlandse Vereniging voor Geluid- en Beeldregistratie – in the year 1977 (www.beeldgeluid.nl). It got the second price in the cimes contest (www.cimes.org).
All the music you hear is performed on normal drinking glasses and bottles by going around with fingers or strike on the glass and by blowing the bottles.
By overdubbing four to six times this orchestral result was obtained.
The recording starts with the theme (at that time a famous tune for a beer commercial in Holland). After that you will hear three variations. Be prepared for the coda!
Used equipment:
- Two taperecorders: BNO 2000 and REVOX A77
- Two microphones: SENNHEISER md421
- Reverb unit from the Philicorda (electronic organ from Philips)
Click for more information.
This is Bert's own composition and was made for the national contest organized by the NVG – Nederlandse Vereniging voor Geluid- en Beeldregistratie – in the year 1979 (www.beeldgeluid.nl).
It is an attempt to imitate a big band by only using voice and mouth.
In the band you will hear:
- Five trombones recorded normal speed
- Four trumpets recorded double speed
- Four saxophones recorded normal speed
- Drums done by mouth recorded normal speed
- Bass done with lips while the microphone was held under the chin recorded normal speed
- Two soloists on saxophone and trombone recorded normal speed
By overdubbing 17 times this orchestral result was obtained.
Multiple Voice got the first price from NVG in Holland and the second price in the cimes contest as well (www.cimes.org).
Used equipment:
- Two taperecorders: Revox A77
- Two microphones: Sennheizer md421
- Mixer designed and built by my father Johan van den Brink.
1973
Winner Yamaha competition
Still 15, Bert wins the 1st prize in the Yamaha competition in the Dutch junior segment.
1976
Conservatory
Bert starts to study piano at the Utrecht Conservatory. His teacher is Herman Uhlhorn.
1976 - 1996
Working with Jules de Corte
Bert intensive contact with Jules de Corte starts in 1976. This lasts till Jules passes away in February 1996. In 1980 Bert starts to accompany Jules de Corte
1981
Winner Prague competition
Bert wins the "Competition for blind and partly sighted musicians" in Prague.
1982
Metropole Orchestra
Bert's first performance with the Metropole Orchestra in the TV-show of Pim Jacobs, called Music Gallery.
1982 - present time
Graduation and teacher
At 23, Bert graduates Cum Laude at the Utrecht Conservatory! Immediately after graduation, Bert becomes Jazz and Improvisation teacher at the Utrecht Conservatory, a position he has consistently held for decades and still holds. Bert just loves to work with students and as much as they are learning from him, Bert is never too old to learn from them as well!
1984 - 1985
Chet Baker
In 1984 Bert becomes member of the Amstel Octet. Here he meets Hein van der Geyn, double bass, with whom he will perform many times in different settings. The Amstel Octet records 'Hazy Hugs' with famous trumpet player Chet Baker (1985).
1989
First Solo CD
Bert's first solo-CD with his own compositions: 'Deepest to Dearest'.
1989 - 1991
Deedee Bridgewater
In 1989 Bert replaces the pianist of Deedee Bridgewater and soon Bert becomes the regular pianist in Deedee Bridgewater's band. The CD 'Live in Montreux' is recorded.
1990 - 2012
52 Luisterliedjes
In 1990 Bert starts a project to publish a book with '52 listening songs' (52 luisterliedjes) from Jules de Corte with the title 'Wie in Nederland wil zingen'. It turned out to be a project that needed a long breath. The book is published in 2012.
1993
Cor Bakker and Clare Fischer
Together with pianist and friend Cor Bakker, Bert records the CD 'Declared' which is a tribute to Clare Fischer. In the year 2000 Bert will play with Clare Fischer himself. See below at year 2000.
1993 - 2000
Denise Jannah
In 1993 Bert makes arrangements for the CD 'A heart full of Music' from Denise Jannah
and soon becomes the regular pianist and bandleader. Bert arranges for and plays on two more CD's: 'The madness of our Love' and 'Different Colours'
1994
Porgy and Bess
In 1994 Bert arranges the Porgy and Bess suite for New Sinfonietta and The Houdini's. A CD was produced as well.
1996 - 2008
Toots Thielemans
From 1996 Bert performs frequently with Toots Thielemans. They can still be heard on the CD 'Chez Toots' (1998).
1996 - present time
Philip Catherine
Berts starts collaborating with the great guitar player Philip Catherine. That collaboration resulted in their latest CD in 2022: 'Live at Flagey'.
1996 - 2010
Bert van den Brink Trio
A trio is formed with Hein van der Geyn, double bass and Hans van Oosterhout, drums. Many concerts follow and a few albums are being produced: 'Between Us' in 2004 and 'Reflections', in 2009 which contains also a DVD (See below 2009).
1990 - 2000
Toon Hermans
Bert starts working with the famous cabaretier Toon Hermans. They rehearse a lot but Toon did not want to perform publicly. Their collaboration leads up to an album in 2000 with the title: 'Als de Liefde'.
May 17, 2000
Clare Fischer
A very special memorable moment: Bert plays with Clare Fischer May 17, 2000 in the Beauforthuis. The concert is recorded and an album is published: 'Bert van den Brink invites Clare Fischer'.
2000 - 2007
Other collaborations
All his professional life up until today, there have been many collaborations with sometimes albums being produced. Besides the above mentioned close collaborations there are other mentionable collaborations with Heleen van den Hombergh, Willem Hellebrekers, LaPAT, Charlotte Glorie, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joe Vanenkhuizen and others.
May 14, 2006 - present time
Bert's Bytes
In 2002 Bert made 50 short improvisations. These became the precursor for an extraordinary project that started May 14, 2006 called Bert's Bytes. Bert makes every week in the weekend a short improvisation that is being send to his fans. Bert has done this consistently ever year and week since. Some of the bytes are put on a CD. Sometimes Bert considers that it has been enough, but then he can't help himself to keep doing it because it is so much fun! Sign up if you want to receive the weekly byte as well! Here is the historic first Byte!
2005
Jules de Corte Festival
Being closely connected to Jules de Corte, Bert plays an important role at this festival.
2006
Winterreise
A memorable tour with the bariton Thomas Oliemans. Despite Bert's overwhelming expertise in jazz and improvisation, he is very capable of playing classical piano as well. He accompanies Thomas Oliemans on tour in Schubert's Winterreise. It results in another CD.
2007
Tour Jesse van Ruller
Bert tours with famous guitar player Jesse van Rulle in Japan and Korea. A CD follows: 'In Pursuit'.
2007
VPRO Boy Edgar Prize
Bert receives the very prestigious VPRO Boy Edgar prize. The Boy Edgarprijs is the most important prize in the Dutch jazz- en improvised music. The prize is awarded annually to a performing musician who contributes to the genre in a special way.
2007 - 2009
Gino Vannelli
Bert plays keyboards and piano in the tour and CD project 'The Good Thing' from Gino Vannelli. Recordings are made in USA and Netherlands.
2009
Maria Markesini
Bert performs many times with Maria Markesini in the Jazz Impuls Series. The album KOSMO is recorded.
2009
Richard Bona
During recording with Maria Markesini, Bert meets Richard Bona. The album 'the ten shades of blue' is produced.
2009
Documentary My Piano is a Mirror
A 45 minute documentary is made of Bert's life. It is being published as a DVD together with the Jubileum CD 'Reflections'. The cover of the CD uses braille on the front.
2010
Strings Surround
In 2010 Bert takes off a lot of his time to write 'Strings Surround' for string quartet and piano. It is performed in 2011 with the Valerius Ensemble.
2011 - present time
Ignasi Terrazza
IN 2011 Bert starts to collaborate with Ignasi Terrazza, pianist. They record a CD called 'Tête À Tête' in 2016.
2012 - 2013
Fred Delfgaauw, puppeteer
Collaboration with the puppeteer Fred Delfgaauw. Remarkable and memorable for it's unusual setting.
2014 - 2020
Gildas Delaporte
A very warm collaboration until Gildas' too early passing away in2020. It leads up to a CD in 2016 with the title 'Feuilles Volantes'.
Not only does Bert play the piano, accordion and every organ and keyboard you can think of, below you can see him play one of Gildas' songs on the carillon. Of course the same as for accordion and organs Bert is completely auto-didact on carillon.
2014 - present time
Jannie du Toit
In 2014 Bert tours with Jannie du Toit in South-Africa and the Netherlands. It results in a CD with the title 'Grenzeloos Nederlands'. Jannie and Bert are still collaborating in present time.
2019 - present time
Pierre Palla Concertorgan
Another milestone in Bert's life. In 2019 Bert sets off on a new mission. He starts playing the renovated Pierra Palla Concert Organ in Hilversum, with the intent to bring this old-times instrument into the contemporary music world.
2021
Soit!, in remembrance Gildas Delaporte
Together with Soit the CD 'Aux Arbres' in remembrance of Gildas Delaporte is produced. Besides piano, Bert also plays the accordion.
2022
Formidable
'Formidable' is the title of a CD with French chansons. It is quite a project with Thomas Oliemans, vocals; Ruben Drenth, trumpet; Jens Meijer, drums; and the ensemble Nieuw Sinfonietta. Bert plays the accordion, but also makes the arrangements.
2023
Tour Spain
Bert tours in Spain, playing accordion and church organ.
2024
Tour South-Korea
Bert tours in South-Korea with Junhung-An, extra-ordinary electrical guitar player. The CD Winter Nights is produced.
Present Time - Future
The FUTURE
There are many future plans and dreams.
Bert hopes and tries to realize a lot of them!
