We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kevin van den Elzzen. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kevin, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I’m very proud of the many West Coast Jazz Hour performances I’ve been able to do with my co-leader, Josh Nelson. WCJH is a project we started in May 2020. We started interviewing musicians who were a part of the old Los Angeles jazz scene in the 50’s, 60’s and onward. We’re talking about people who have worked with the biggest stars like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Henry Mancini, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman. We started doing live performances with repertoire from this era in August 2021 with our trio, quintet and 18 piece big band.
We performed the suites of Shelly Manne arranged by John Williams this year. These are called My Fair Lady with the Un-Original Cast and Manne That’s Gershwin. Those were so special to perform. My Fair Lady was performed at the Irvine Barclay Theatre with Benny Benack III, Lia Booth and Nicole McCabe. The Gershwin suite was performed at Riverside Community College with Dan Kaneyuki and Aaron Janik as soloists. We also performed the Miles Davis version of Porgy and Bess twice. I would say that those concerts are high lights of my career so far.
We also released our debut album “West Coast Echoes” on cd, vinyl and streaming. Our label, Bandstand Presents with Christian Wiggs, has helped us so much with getting us on playlists. Our album has been streamed almost 1,5 million times since it came out, so we’re super proud of that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kevin van den Elzen (originally from the Netherlands) and I’m a professional jazz drummer, band leader and educator in LA. I’ve been in LA for almost 10,5 years now. I’ve been very fortunate to play with incredible musicians such as Bob Mintzer, John Clayton, Dick Oatts, John Beasley, Anthony Wilson, Bob Sheppard, Ralph Moore, Sinne Eeg and many more.
I co lead West Coast Jazz Hour with my best friend and world class pianist, Josh Nelson. I have a new quintet which focuses on the music of Shelly Manne’s quintet. I’m a member of the quintet of trumpet player, John Reynolds. I play in a number of big bands led by Danny Jonokuchi, Joe DiFiore and Kyle Myers. Lastly, I play often in trio with my old friend and pianist, Adam Hersh.
I currently am on faculty at the Orange County School for the Arts.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I believe that any time that I travel shapes and changes my world view. I’ve travelled to quite a few countries. I’m originally from the Netherlands and moved to LA 10 years ago. That was a big change for me and how I see the world. The world since then has changed so much and so fast.
Any time when I’m on tour, I meet new people which is a cool thing by itself. I’ll also run into old friends, because I went to a very international school in Amsterdam for my undergrad. I forged a lot of relationships there with people around the world. This was the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
Just being around people from all kinds of countries and backgrounds gives a very wide perspective on all kinds of matters in life. It creates an open mind and compassion, which we are in need of in this current day and age.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
That failing is okay. As a musician, you have to take musical risks and you need to be okay that those risks might not work out.
You have to let go of self judgement when you are playing and have to trust your fellow musicians to work together with you in order to create in the moment. It really is about listening and communicating with fellow musicians. When the stars align, you could have a out of body experience which is the best feeling ever. You can only do this though with being okay to fail once in a while. I have done so many times, but I see it as learning moments. I don’t see it as a negative thing. You’re only becoming a better musician and human being.
A story that comes to mind is that I was having a lesson with my mentor, Peter Erskine. He put on a backing track that he made me play along to without knowing beforehand what it was. My playing wasn’t great and he asked if there was anything going on with me. I mentioned that I wasn’t happy with my playing and pretty frustrated about it. He replied with that this is a good thing, because I was in the process of hearing and seeing more. That was the last time that I felt in creative dip about my playing.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say so, yes. There’s no point in being someone else. It might be a Dutch thing, but back home we say: “Act normal, that’s already crazy enough.”
I think making a public version just makes you heavier mentally and physically. It would make my music suffer if I would. I don’t want that to happen at all since my music is so closely connected to my personality.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I have a bunch of things that really make me feel at peace. The music is one thing for sure. I feel very much at peace when I’m with my family (who I only see a few times a year), my friends and my partner, Ana.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kevinvandenelzen.com / www.westcoastjazzhour.com
- Instagram: @kevinvdedrums
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinvdElz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@westcoastjazzhour
Image Credits
Main portrait: Donnae Menchaca
Orchestra portrait: Lev Tsimring
Single, trio and quintet portrait: Craig Cochrane
