Tjeerd started drumming at the age of 9 and ever since never turned away from this passion. As a teenager, Tjeerd played in several rock bands, after laying his hands on his first drum set at the age of 12.
In the 1970's he started with drum lessons. From 1980 onwards, Tjeerd studied percussion, audio engineering and for a minor he took composition at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. He concentrated his studies on jazz music, percussion and sound recording. In 1990 he graduated on percussion.
With an early start in the 1980's, Tjeerd, still a student, worked as a professional drummer in various musical formations. He received more teachings in workshops for percussion from amongst others: Willem Jansen (circle Percussion), Lucas van Merwijk (head teacher of drums at the Conservatory in Amsterdam) and Jan Laurens Hartong (Nueva Manteca). He also worked with renowned jazz musicians: Pat Metheny, Charlie Green, Ack van Rooijen. John Clayton and Barry Harris and one of the places where he performed was at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Hague, 1992.
In the 90s Tjeerd toured with Nicola Stilo (Chet Baker Group).
Nowadays, Tjeerd plays in different settings; jazz, rock and theater. The ideas for his own DRUM SCHOOL began taking shape in the year 2000.
Getting started took a bit longer, but since 2004 his Drum School is on the road!
View here a drum solo by Tjeerd Klapwijk.