Niek de Bruijn

Gretsch Artist Since: 2025

Country: NL

Band or Affiliations: Alain Clark, Lucy Woodward, Paradox Jazz Orchestra, TOINE, Teus Nobel Child's Play

Current Kit Setup:
USA Brooklyn in Turquoise Sparkle
18x22 BD, 7x10 TT, 8x12 TT, 14x14 FT, 14x16 FT

USA Broadkaster in Anniversary Sparkle
14x20 BD, 8x12 TT, 14x14 FT

70's Stop Sign Badge in Champagne Sparkle
14x22 BD, 8x10 TT, 8x12 TT, 9x13 TT, 10x14 TT, 16x16 FT

60s Round Badge in Burgundy Sparkle
14x18 BD, 14x20 BD, 8x12 TT, 14x14 FT, 5.5x14 SD

60s Round Badge in Tangerine Sparkle
12x16 BD, 8x12 TT, 14x14 FT

Renown in Silver Oyster Pearl
16x20 BD, 7x10 TT, 8x12 TT, 14x14 FT, 16x16 FT

5x14 USA Solid Aluminum SD, 6.5x14 USA COB SD, 6x14 USA Custom Black Nickel Over Brass SD, 5.5x15 USA Limited New Classic COB, 8x14 Swamp Dawg SD, 6.5x14 New Classic, 4x14 Chrystal Tone SD

Influences:
Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Clyde Stubblefield, James Gadson, Bernard Purdie, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Mike Clark, Harvey.Mason, Hans van Oosterhout, Martijn Vink

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
I discovered my love for Gretsch through touring, playing whatever backline kits were available. Every time I sat behind a Gretsch, it felt like coming home. Instant connection and inspiration. For me it's a perfect blend of warmth and clarity, vintage and modern. It's the sound I grew up hearing from all my favourite drummers, the pioneers who shaped the music as we know it today. Playing Gretsch is experiencing their legacy and telling their story.

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
Everyone’s journey is different. Stay close to the spark that made you start as a kid. That childlike fascination for music will always guide you and as long as you keep that inner child alive, the spark will never fade.

Bio:
Niek de Bruijn, born in 1991, is one of Europe’s most demanded drummers, renowned for touring the world with various esteemed artists. His talent was recognized with the prestigious Erasmus Jazz Prize in 2013. As a professor at Haarlem Conservatory, Niek shares his expertise with the next generation of musicians. He actively promotes the brands he represents, including Gretsch, Zildjian, and Remo, on his social media platforms. This way, as one of the first endorsers for Gretsch in the Netherlands, he helped improve the brand’s representation among Dutch music stores and established it as one of the most popular in the country today. He is currently touring with Alain Clark, Lucy Woodward, Bankzitters, Paradox Jazz Orchestra, TOINE and Teus Nobel Child’s Play.

Work Experience

Since graduating from Codarts Conservatory Rotterdam in 2014, Niek has played as a drummer for: Candy Dulfer, Philip Lassiter, Alain Clark, Paradox Jazz Orchestra, Fresku, Typhoon, The Dolly Dots, Matt Bianco, Rolf Sanchez, Charlie Hunter, Lucy Woodward, Biréli Lagrène, Roby Lakatos, New Cool Collective, TOINE, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Anton Goudsmit, Karsu, Giovanca, Benjamin Herman, Eric Vloeimans, Ntjam Rosie, NJJO (2013), JM Jazz World Orchestra, Snarky Puppy, Metropole Orchestra, Durand Bernarr, Ida Nielsen, Judith Hill, Sheila E, Shelby J, Jeroen van der Boom, Lois Lane, Edsilia Rombley, Trijntje Oosterhuis.

Performed with the above artists in countries including:
- Netherlands, Japan, Suriname, Curaçao, Kenya, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Sardinia, Sicily, Gibraltar, Greece, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, England, Scotland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Armenia, Finland.

A selection of venues and festivals:
- North Sea Jazz Festival (NL), Safaricom Jazz Festival (KE), Ronnie Scott’s (GB), International Jazz Day Paramaribo (SU), Moscow Royal Concert Hall (RU), Blue Note Tokyo (JP), Carré (NL), Ziggodome (NL), AFAS Live (NL), Amsterdam Arena (NL), De Doelen (NL), Paradiso (NL), TivoliVredenburg (NL), Het Concertgebouw (NL), Bimhuis (NL), Kwaku (NL).