Born in Amsterdam Freddy’s talent was recognized at a young age and he started learning congas at the age of 12. Freddy was honoured to study with Raoul Burnet who was regarded as the best conga player and teacher in Western Europe.
Raoul was a master percussionist (one of the first musicians endorsed by LP – Latin Percussion in the Netherlands) and an expert in Afro Cuban rhythms. Raoul Burnet played with music legends such as Patato Valdez, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Wilson Picket, Art Blakey and many more.
After Raoul’s sudden death, Freddy started to play kit drums as well to reggae music, ska music and funk. In the 80’s he joined the band Revelation Time that quickly grew into the best afro reggae band in the Netherlands and one of the finest in Europe . Revelation Time had a top 40 hit in Europe with a song called South Africa . Freddy played drums and percussion with this band for over 12 years and toured Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Malta and Italy.
Revelation Time backed up Jamaican artists such as Lee Perry and Eek a Mouse, and supported well-known bands such as Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Alpha Blondy, UB40, Inner Circle , Ossibisa, Saleif Keita, Toure Kounda, Senemali, Kumbi Saleh and Fela Kuti.
During this period throughout the 90’s Freddy found a passion for West African rhythms and in particularly djembe drumming from Guinea West Africa.
Since being in Australia, Freddy is making a fast impact on the WA Music Scene. He is currently playing and has played with Latin Jazz group Descarga (featuring Chris Tarr, Tom O’hallaran, Troy Roberts, Dane Anderson, Des White, Jeremy Grieg, Matt Jodrell), LC Salsa, Los Chasquis, Latin Fusion, was the founding member of WAADA (now Akwaaba) , Mike Pigneguy, Glynn MacDonald, with Russell Borrows in Odai Nmai’s group, WAAPA’s award winning Defying Gravity, WAAPA Latin Music Ensemble, Lamine Sonko, Brenda Lee, Mohamed Bangoura, Ziggy Bey Diagne, Glenn Shorrock (Little River Band) in the Perth Concert Hall, Percussion Group Wongai, Barney McAll, Paul Tanner, Funkalleros and WAMi winner Grace Barbe.
Freddy also conducts djembe and conga drumming workshops (check www.wongai.com.au), teaches at the Drum Shop in Perth, he has worked and is still working with organisations such as CanTeen, Telethon, UWA WAAPA, Perth Jazz Society and Camp Quality and is a casual lecturer at ECU WAAPA (West Australian Academy of Performing Arts).
Freddy is also working together with an organisation called “Drum Circle Events” based in Sydney. This organisation facilitates Drum team building sessions throughout Australia and the world.
Since 2005 Freddy has organised 5 successful Drum Camps called “Back to the Roots” in Jarrahdale WA . Together with Guinean Master Drummer Mohamed Bangoura from Sydney workshops are being held in traditional Djembe drumming, Dance and Afro Cuban drumming. Mohamed Bangoura acknowledged Freddy’s talent and acknowledged him as a Djembe instructor.
Freddy is also the Australian agent for the world famous Mamady Keita, the grand master of djembe. Mamady has done 2 workshop tours through Australia in 2008 and 2009.
He has been working over the last years with WAAPA’s award winning percussion group Defying Gravity and performed with the WAAPA Latin Music ensemble at the Perth Jazz Society.
Freddy is currently (semi) endorsed by LP (Latin Percussion) and is available for workshops/private tuition at the Drumshop’s Academy Drums . Freddy is currently working on a solo CD and has produced 3 interactive DVDs and a CD with Mohamed Bangoura on traditional Guinean Rhythms and Chants. Check www.djembekan.net.
Freddy has been twice to Guinea over the last years to intensify his studies in West African percussion with Mohamed Bangoura and producing music with local artists.