Vincent Houdijk was born in ’s-Hertogenbosch on 18 May 1981. At the age of 8 he started his musical life by following piano lessons. Due to a dramatic event Vincent made a switch to percussion at the age of 15. After several years of practice, hard work and following very specialised lessons he started his musical studies at the ‘Fontys Conservatory’ in Tilburg.
Classical Percussion
After 5 years he graduated with distinction as a classical performing percussionist. Vincent attended lessons and master classes given by; Arnold Marinissen, Peter Prommel, Rainer Seegers, Momoko Kamiya, Keiko Abe, Bogdan Baçanu, Andrew Thomas, Peter de Vries, Frans van Grinsven, Willy Goudswaard.
In his classical career Vincent has worked with; Arnold Marinissen, Ramon Lormans, Hans Leenders, Micha Hamel, Lawrence Renes, Jurjen Hempel, Eline van Esch, Vocaal Laboratorium, Zeeuws Orkest, Koninklijke Luchtmachtkapel.
After his classical studies Vincent attended the ‘Royal Conservatory’ in The Hague to specialise on jazz vibraphone. After 2 years he graduated from this 4-year-study again with distinction. He followed lessons taught by; Mike Mainieri, Frits Landesbergen, Eric Gieben, Martijn Vink, Erik Ineke, Niels Tausk among others.
In his further career as a vibraphone player as well as a percussionist, Vincent has worked with; Wouter Hamel, Kyteman, Eric Vloeimans, Mathilde Santing, Guus Meeuwis, Marco Borsato, Jan Smit, Nick & Simon, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Bert Boeren, Maarten van der Grinten, Harmen Fraanje, Haye Jellema, Paul Berner, Bob Fosko, Charli Green, Nick & Simon, Johnny Engels, Jasper van Hulten, Martijn de Laat, Pieter Bast, Joris Posthumus, Pieter de Graaf, Gijs Anders van Straalen.
Vincent and Eric Vloeimans @Grachtenfestival 2012
Freelance Musician
As a freelancer Vincent is very active in many formations in many different musical styles like classical music, music theatre, rock, pop, contemporary music, modern music, even street theatre and off course jazz. He chose to specialize in vibraphone, but he also works as a (classical) percussionist, drummer, singer, conductor, arranger and composer.
VinnieVibes’
In the beginning of 2007 he started his own band: VinnieVibes‘ formerly known as The VinnieVibes Group. In July 2010 the start of the first album by this band was made, filled only with compositions by Vincent, completed with tabla player Walid Nowrouzi and a special feature for world famous trumpeter Eric Vloeimans and trombone giant Bert Boeren. The album, “15″ will be released in 2012.
Experience and solo career
Vincent formed an amazing duo with a top percussionist Ramon Lormans. They managed to compose 4 complete programs for their duo. And in 2011 Vincent formed a duo with pianist Rogier Telderman, with compositions especially written for their duo. Furthermore, he regularly plays as a solo artist with orchestras and (big-)bands. Also in ensembles varying from duos to symphonic orchestras to pop- and rock- and big bands. As a percussionist Vincent plays at Douaneharmonie Nederland, in the orchestra as well as in its combo and its big band.
Conductor
As a conductor he worked for ‘Muziekvereniging Zevenbergen’ and at the moment he is conductor at Showorchestra Pro Patria in Dordrecht ‘Middenorkest Sophia’s Vereeniging in Loon op Zand and Arti percussion Oirschot. As a freelance conductor Vincent has worked with several orchestra’s, like the Police Orchestra, Delft.
Teacher
As a teacher and coach Vincent has over 15 years of experience. He has developed very specialized study techniques for the marimba and vibraphone as well as for all sorts of percussion instruments. Together with Ramon Lormans they form the basic team of the very specialized Percussion Friends Academy. Vincent also taught (guest-)lessons at: Conservatory of Amsterdam, Fontys Conservatory of Tilburg, Percussion Friends, several music schools, Koninklijke Sophia’s Vereeniging, Heineken Fanfare and many more orchestras.