Ben Gerritsen

Born October 25, 1948 in Gorssel / Holland. Died June 2, 2016 in Amsterdam. Ben has been playing vibes and marimba ever since he was 13 - at first mainly in trad bands. Wanting to turn pro, he took up his studies at Zwolle College of Music at 18. After graduating as a pianist he later studied drums and percussion. During this period he gradually developed his melodic and harmonic capacities and made his way through the various jazz styles. Now (1987) he is being regarded as one of the most accomplished "four-mallet-technicians" on his instrument in Europe. Ben has performed with a number of leading groups in the Netherlands and led a quartet under his own name until 1985 (Liner Notes on In-Akustik CD 8702 - 1987)