Joost van Es
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Joost van Es |
Although he is the youngest member of 4 Wheel Drive, band leader Joost van Es is a legend in his own right: undoubtedly the most important bluegrass fiddler to emerge from Holland, and widely recognized as one of the finest bluegrass musicians in Europe. Van Es had his classical violin education and played klezmer, gypsy swing and Balkan music before finding his true musical love: the bluegrass fiddle. Recently he backed up Bill Clifton during his last European tour, as well as Lou Reid & Carolina. He also worked with most of Holland’s country acts, such as Ruud Hermans, Major Dundee and Savannah, Desperado and the Hillbilly Boogiemen. | |
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Alfred Bonk |
Alfred Bonk lives in Bremervorde, Germany (near Hamburg). Alfred is a teacher of sports, german and biology. His first bluegrass band was the 'Roving Gamblers' (1982). He also is a member of and did several recordings with 'Sacred Sounds of Grass' with whom he played a lot of gigs, including three USA tours and various festivals. He is also a singer in two a-capella-groups. Alfred is an enthousiastic new member of the band, and puts a lot of energy into the music, with his characteristic high voice and his steady bass playing. He plays music and sings whenever possible. | |
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Paul van Vlodrop |
Without Paul van Vlodrop, 4 Wheel Drive probably never would have existed. In 1987, a Dutch theater company asked this Dutch mandolin/banjo player to put a group together as a ‘live soundtrack’ to one of their productions. In the original, American version of Sam Shepard’s A Lie Of The Mind, the Red Clay Ramblers played old time-based music during the acts. The Rotterdam RO-theater wanted a bluegrass band for the Dutch translation of the play. At the moment, Paul van Vlodrop is the only remaining original member. Paul was a member of The Country Ramblers (NL), Smoketown Strut (B), and Freewheeling (NL/G/F). He also worked with Byron Berline. Paul plays both mandolin and banjo, and is known as one of the finest bluegrass musicians in Europe ever. | |
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Jan Michielsen |
The Belgian Jan Michielsen is the perfect bluegrass guitar player: you only realize what he’s doing for the music once he drops out. Michielsen’s playing – unobtrusive, tasteful and with a killer timing – has been heavily influenced by Larry Sparks. Jan Michielsen has been bandleader of Smoketown Strut (Belgium) for more than two decades.With Smoketown Strut, they released four records, one of which featured the legendary Jim Eanes. | |
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Jürgen Biller |
Though he’s not a full-time member of 4 Wheel Drive, the German banjo player Jürgen Biller is a very important part of the classic 4 Wheel Drive sound. Biller reputedly learned the banjo by locking himself in his cellar for a couple of years, only to emerge as the true virtuoso he is now. Mostly known for his authentic sound and dazzling speed, Biller is regarded as an authority in the field of traditional banjo playing. He has worked together a lot with the German bands Helmut & The Hillbillies, Hard Times, today with One4Five. He has been backing up both the legendary Jim Eanes, and Bill Harell. | |
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Bluegrass World